A 12 inch pizza can contain a wide range of calories depending on the type of crust, toppings, and serving size. On average, one slice of a 12 inch cheese pizza contains about 285 calories. For the entire 12 inch pizza, the total calories are approximately:
Cheese Pizza
A 12 inch cheese pizza has around 2100-2300 calories total. This is based on the typical nutrition info for a medium 12 inch thin crust cheese pizza from major pizza chains:
| Pizza Chain | Calories per Slice | Slices per 12″ Pizza | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | 285 | 8 | 2280 |
| Pizza Hut | 300 | 8 | 2400 |
| Papa John’s | 260 | 8 | 2080 |
As you can see, calories range from 2080 to 2400 for a full 12″ cheese pizza depending on the restaurant. On average, a cheese pizza contains about 2300 calories total.
Pepperoni Pizza
A 12 inch pepperoni pizza typically has 2300-2800 calories. Each slice with pepperoni has around 320-370 calories. For the whole pizza:
| Pizza Chain | Calories per Slice | Slices per 12″ Pizza | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | 370 | 8 | 2960 |
| Pizza Hut | 340 | 8 | 2720 |
| Papa John’s | 320 | 8 | 2560 |
A full 12″ pepperoni pizza averages around 2600 calories total.
Supreme Pizza
For a supreme pizza loaded with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives, the calorie count is even higher:
- Domino’s (8 slices): 360 calories per slice, 2880 calories total
- Pizza Hut (8 slices): 370 calories per slice, 2960 calories total
- Papa John’s (8 slices): 340 calories per slice, 2720 calories total
A supreme pizza can have about 2800-3000 calories for the entire 12 inch pizza.
Meat Lovers Pizza
Meat lovers pizzas are packed with high calorie ingredients like pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, and sometimes beef or chicken. Here’s the nutrition info:
| Pizza Chain | Calories per Slice | Slices per 12″ Pizza | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | 420 | 8 | 3360 |
| Pizza Hut | 370 | 8 | 2960 |
| Papa John’s | 380 | 8 | 3040 |
A full 12 inch meat lovers pizza can contain over 3000 calories!
Vegetable Pizza
For veggie pizzas with toppings like mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and bell peppers, the calorie count is lower:
- Domino’s (8 slices): 270 calories per slice, 2160 calories total
- Pizza Hut (8 slices): 290 calories per slice, 2320 calories total
- Papa John’s (8 slices): 260 calories per slice, 2080 calories total
A vegetable pizza averages about 2200 calories for the entire 12 inch pizza.
Hawaiian Pizza
Hawaiian pizzas contain ham and pineapple as toppings. Here are the nutrition facts:
| Pizza Chain | Calories per Slice | Slices per 12″ Pizza | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domino’s | 300 | 8 | 2400 |
| Pizza Hut | 320 | 8 | 2560 |
| Papa John’s | 290 | 8 | 2320 |
A full Hawaiian pizza contains about 2400 calories on average.
White Pizza
White pizzas are made without tomato sauce and contain ingredients like ricotta, mozzarella, olive oil, and garlic. Here’s how many calories are in a 12″ white pizza:
- Domino’s (8 slices) – 270 calories per slice, 2160 calories total
- Pizza Hut (8 slices) – 300 calories per slice, 2400 calories total
- Papa John’s (8 slices) – 280 calories per slice, 2240 calories total
A 12 inch white pizza averages around 2300 calories total.
Calories by Pizza Crust Type
The type of crust impacts the calorie count as well. Here’s a comparison of calories by popular crust types for a 12″ pizza with 2-3 toppings:
| Crust | Total Calories |
|---|---|
| Thin crust | 2200-2600 |
| Hand-tossed | 2300-2700 |
| Pan/Deep dish | 2500-2900 |
| Stuffed crust | 2700-3100 |
| Cheese-stuffed crust | 3000-3400 |
As you can see, deep dish, stuffed crust, and cheese-stuffed crust pizzas tend to be highest in calories.
Calories For 1 Slice vs Whole Pizza
The number of slices per pizza also impacts calories. Most pizzas are cut into 8 slices, but some places may cut it into 6, 10, or even 12 slices. Here’s a comparison if cutting a 12″ pizza different ways:
| Slices | Calories Per Slice | Total Calories for 12″ Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| 6 slices | 425 | 2550 |
| 8 slices (typical) | 325 | 2600 |
| 10 slices | 260 | 2600 |
| 12 slices | 217 | 2600 |
As you can see, the total calories for the entire pizza are similar regardless of slice count. But the calories per individual slice varies.
Factors That Increase Calories in Pizza
Certain factors make pizza higher in calories:
- High-calorie crusts: Stuffed crust, deep dish, and cheese-filled crust are higher in calories than thin or hand-tossed.
- High-fat meats: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon and other fatty meats add more calories than veggies or lighter meats like chicken or Canadian bacon.
- Extra cheese: Extra cheese significantly increases the calories and fat.
- Larger size: A 14″ or 16″ pizza has more calories than a personal 10″ or 12″ pizza.
- Thick, dense slices: Deep dish or Sicilian style slices are thicker and contain more dough, cheese and toppings than thin crust.
Choosing vegetable toppings over meat, lighter crusts, and reasonable portion sizes can help reduce the calorie count.
Low Calorie Pizza Options
Here are some tips for lightening up pizza:
- Pick thin crust instead of thick or stuffed crusts
- Load up on vegetable toppings instead of fatty meats
- Ask for less cheese or choose lighter cheeses like feta or goat cheese
- Opt for smaller sizes like a 10 inch personal pizza
- Eat just 1-2 slices instead of the whole pie
- Pick a lighter cauliflower or zucchini crust
- Add healthier toppings like grilled chicken, shrimp, or artichokes
With the right toppings and crust, you can enjoy pizza while reducing the calorie count substantially.
Calorie Needs
Whether a full 12″ pizza fits into your diet depends on your individual calorie needs:
- Women – Requires 2000-2400 calories per day
- Men – Requires 2400-3000 calories per day
A full pizza can provide over 50% of your total daily calorie needs. So consume pizza in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Conclusion
In summary, a full 12 inch pizza averages between 2000-3000 calories depending on the style. Cheese and veggie pizzas are on the lower end while meat lovers and deep dish tend to be higher in calories. Enjoy pizza in moderation along with other nutritious foods as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
