How much salt is in that?
Most dietary salt is not added at the table — it is already in bread, sauces and processed food.
Almost exactly a daily maximum for adults
6 g is more than 7 of the 9 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| bowl of cereal | 0.3 g | 20× | |
| slice of bread | 0.4 g | 15× | |
| handful of crisps | 0.5 g | 12× | |
| portion of bacon | 1.8 g | 3.33× | |
| tin of soup | 2.4 g | 2.5× | |
| tablespoon of soy sauce | 2.7 g | 2.22× | |
| takeaway pizza, half | 5.5 g | 1.09× | |
| daily maximum for adults | 6 g | 1× | UK and WHO guidance |
| typical UK daily intake | 8.4 g | 0.714× |
Worth knowing
- The UK average intake is 8.4 g of salt a day against a 6 g recommendation, and about three-quarters of it comes from processed food.
- Salt is 40% sodium by mass, so a 6 g salt limit is a 2.4 g sodium limit. Labels use whichever makes the number look smaller.
Frequently asked
How much salt should I eat?
No more than 6 g a day for adults in UK guidance, or 5 g under WHO guidance. Children need considerably less.
How do I convert sodium to salt?
Multiply sodium by 2.5. A label showing 1 g of sodium means 2.5 g of salt.
How to read this
Salt figures are typical values; brands vary by a factor of three for the same product.