How Much Sugar Is in Dark Chocolate?
An ounce of 70–85% dark chocolate has about 7 g of sugar — a fraction of milk chocolate, and the higher the cocoa, the lower it goes.
Moderate sugar
7g sugar
in 1 oz, 70–85% (28 g) · about 1.7 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 7 g
- Per 100 g
- 24 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 1.7 tsp
Fine in a portion — worth keeping an eye on.
An ounce of 70–85% dark chocolate has roughly 7 g of sugar — about a third of what the same weight of milk chocolate delivers. Push to 90% and it drops further still, into single grams.
Dark chocolate's bitterness means you also tend to eat less of it, and it brings flavanols and magnesium. A square or two after dinner is a satisfying, low-sugar way to end a meal.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Move up in cocoa percentage over a few weeks — 70% then 85%
- Pair a square with berries for a bigger dessert feel
Frequently asked questions
- What percentage of dark chocolate has the least sugar?
- The higher the cocoa percentage, the less sugar — 85% and 90% bars have only a few grams per serving.
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Sugar values from USDA FoodData Central; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-07-21.