Honey vs Maple syrup

The short answer

Two liquid sweeteners, both mostly sugar. Honey is a little higher in calories and thicker; maple syrup is slightly lighter with a distinct flavour and a bit more manganese. Close on calories — pick by taste, both are added sugars to use sparingly.

Honey and Maple syrup, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.

Honey · per 100 gMaple syrup · per 100 g
Calories304260
Protein0.3 g0 g
Fat0 g0.1 g
Carbs82.4 g67 g
Fiber0.2 g0 g
Sugars82.1 g60.5 g
Sodium4 mg12 mg
Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data
Calcium6 mg102 mg
Folate2 µg0 µg
Iron0.4 mg0.1 mg
Magnesium2 mg21 mg
Niacin0.1 mg0.1 mg
Phosphorus4 mg2 mg
Potassium52 mg212 mg
Riboflavin0 mg1.3 mg
Thiamin0 mg0.1 mg
Vitamin A0 µg0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg
Vitamin B60 mg0 mg
Vitamin C0.5 mg0 mg
Vitamin D0 µg0 µg
Vitamin E0 mg0 mg
Vitamin K0 µg0 µg
Zinc0.2 mg1.5 mg
At equal calories (per 100 kcal)
ProteinHoney: 0.1 g, Maple syrup: 0 g · FiberHoney: 0.1 g, Maple syrup: 0 g · SodiumHoney: 1.3 mg, Maple syrup: 4.6 mg

Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.

Common questions
Is Honey or Maple syrup better?

Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.

How were these numbers worked out?

Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.

Why does one column say “no data”?

Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.

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