Walnuts vs Pecans

The short answer

Two rich, raw nuts high in fat and calories. Walnuts carry more protein and the omega-3 fats; pecans are even fattier and milder with more fibre. Walnuts for the omega-3s and protein, pecans for a sweeter, buttery nut.

Walnuts and Pecans, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.

Walnuts · per 100 gPecans · per 100 g
Calories654691
Protein15.2 g9.2 g
Fat65.2 g72 g
Carbs13.7 g13.9 g
Fiber6.7 g9.6 g
Sugars2.6 g4 g
Sodium2 mg0 mg
Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data
Calcium98 mg70 mg
Folate98 µg22 µg
Iron2.9 mg2.5 mg
Magnesium158 mg121 mg
Niacin1.1 mg1.2 mg
Phosphorus346 mg277 mg
Potassium441 mg410 mg
Riboflavin0.2 mg0.1 mg
Thiamin0.3 mg0.7 mg
Vitamin A1 µg3 µg
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg
Vitamin B60.5 mg0.2 mg
Vitamin C1.3 mg1.1 mg
Vitamin D0 µg0 µg
Vitamin E0.7 mg1.4 mg
Vitamin K2.7 µg3.5 µg
Zinc3.1 mg4.5 mg
At equal calories (per 100 kcal)
ProteinWalnuts: 2.3 g, Pecans: 1.3 g · FiberWalnuts: 1 g, Pecans: 1.4 g · SodiumWalnuts: 0.3 mg, Pecans: 0 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 Walnuts or Pecans 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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