How to Use Percent Daily Value on a Nutrition Label

What %DV means

Percent Daily Value (%DV) shows how much a nutrient in one serving contributes to a reference daily amount. It is printed beside nutrients on the Nutrition Facts label. The FDA presents it as a quick way to see whether a serving contributes relatively little or a lot of a nutrient. It is not a personalized target or a score for whether a whole food is good or bad.

A practical way to compare foods

1. Check the serving size and compare it with the amount you actually eat.

2. Look at the nutrient you care about, such as fiber, sodium, or saturated fat.

3. Compare the %DV for similar products using the same serving basis.

4. Consider the whole eating pattern rather than deciding from one number alone.

The FDA's general label guide uses 5% DV or less as low and 20% DV or more as high. These are label-reading shortcuts, not medical thresholds. Daily Values are reference amounts used for labeling; your needs may differ, and some nutrients have different goals depending on a person's health.

Claims and serving size

Words such as “reduced” or “light” have specific label meanings. Comparing %DV can help you evaluate differences, but remember that a package may contain more than one serving. A product can be high in one nutrient and low in another.

For a visual walk-through, see the FDA guide to understanding and using the Nutrition Facts label. If you follow a medically prescribed diet, ask your health professional how to apply label information to your situation.

Health disclaimer

This article is for general education only. Its information and suggestions are not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and may not be right for everyone. Ask a qualified health professional for advice that fits your health, medications, and needs before changing your diet, exercise, supplement use, or care.

Sources and further reading

• How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label — U.S. Food and Drug Administration.