How to Compare Sodium On Nutrition Labels: A Step-by-Step Review

When shopping for packaged foods, use the Sodium row on the Nutrition Facts label to compare sodium amounts. Sodium and table salt are not interchangeable measurements: table salt contains sodium, and sodium can also come from other ingredients. Check the serving basis before comparing products.

Quick Answer

To compare sodium on nutrition labels, check the 'Sodium' line on the label, then look at the 'Percent Daily Value (%DV)' to see how much of this nutrient you're consuming relative to the daily recommended limit.

Identify the Sodium Value

The Nutrition Facts label declares sodium in milligrams (mg). Read it with the serving or package column heading. It measures sodium from the food, including sources other than table salt; it does not state the weight of salt.

Sodium is often listed as 'Sodium' on the label, and the value is typically in milligrams. The FDA notes that this information is part of the label's nutrient content, which helps you compare foods based on their sodium levels. This detail is essential for making choices that align with health guidelines, especially since Americans consume too much sodium.

Find the serving amount and the number of servings per container near the top of the label. Check how much you plan to eat before interpreting the sodium value.

Sodium is listed in milligrams (mg) on the Nutrition Facts label, showing the total amount per serving.
Use the Sodium row to compare sodium amounts; the ingredient list can identify salt and other sodium-containing ingredients.
The label's percent Daily Value (%DV) section can help you learn how much of each nutrient you are eating and compare what is in different foods.
The label serving describes an amount people typically consume; it is not a recommendation for how much to eat.

Check the Percent Daily Value

The 'Percent Daily Value (%DV)' section on the label shows how much sodium you're consuming relative to the daily recommended limit.

This percentage is calculated using the FDA's standard daily limit and helps you compare products across different brands and types of food.

Saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars are nutrients listed on the label that may be associated with adverse health effects – and Americans generally consume too much of them.

Using %DV allows you to quickly identify foods that are lower in sodium without complex calculations.
Use the label to compare the nutrients relevant to your decision, keeping the amount of food the same on both sides.
Use the Nutrition Facts Label to find out how much of certain nutrients are found in foods, and how they can fit into a healthy diet.
For example, when buying breakfast cereal, you could use the label to choose a cereal that contains a lower amount of added sugars.

Compare Across Products

The USDA Agricultural Research Service notes that this comparison method helps you choose foods that fit into a healthy diet without overcomplicating the process.

Read the serving information, Sodium row, and %DV together. The package-specific numbers may change between products, so use the label on the item you are comparing.

Those numbers are part of the Nutrition Facts label, which tells you what nutrients are inside of food.

Compare the sodium values per serving to find products with lower sodium content.
Follow the printed headings on your package rather than looking for colored sections; this article does not include that source diagram.
Start with serving size and servings per container, then compare the Sodium amount for equivalent portions.
The nutrition information listed on the Nutrition Facts label is usually based on one serving of the food; however, some containers may also have information displayed per package.

FAQ

Why does the %DV for sodium matter?

This helps you compare products and avoid excessive sodium intake, which is linked to health risks like high blood pressure.

Can I trust the sodium value on the label?

Use the declared sodium amount for comparisons, while recognizing that labels use rounding and regulatory tolerances.