What 'Percentage' Is Whole Milk?

The difference in fat content between whole, 2 percent, 1 percent and fat-free milk may not be what you assume. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

When you're at the grocery store, do you quickly grab a gallon of whole milk — or do you take a moment to peruse the options? From whole milk to 2 percent, to 1 percent to skim, dairy consumers can practically customize their daily intake before they ever pour a glass of that creamy cow juice.

But how much fat is in a cold, frothy glass of whole milk? The term "whole milk" actually refers to milk in its most unadulterated form — and in addition to the fat found in milk, the main component (about 87 percent) is water. You'll also find vitamins, minerals, sugars like lactose and proteins like caseins and whey proteins. Although it has been processed and homogenized, whole milk is still close to what the cow produced.

But let's get back to that milk fat. The percentage listed on a milk carton label actually represents how much fat the milk contains by weight. For instance, milk labeled "2 percent" is 2 percent milk fat by weight — not 2 percent the amount of fat found in whole milk.

If we're talking percentages, whole milk is not 100 percent fat — cow milk contains 3.25 to 3.5 percent milk fat, which equals about 8 grams of fat per 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of milk. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that the milk fat percentage by weight in whole milk should not fall below 3.25 percent, far below the 100-percent milk fat the name "whole milk" may imply.

Two percent milk, 1 percent milk and skim milk have been stripped of milk fats to varying degrees — but to understand how those milks relate to whole milk, you've got to remember that whole milk could be called "3.5 percent milk" or "3.25 percent milk." So 2 percent milk has about 60 percent the amount of fat as whole milk, while 1 percent has about 30 percent the amount.

The monikers for milk variations may have evolved since the days when it was delivered by hand, but that doesn't mean the labels are any less confusing. Voluntary nutritional labeling on milk cartons didn't appear until 1974, when the FDA advised all foods should include nutritional information. In 1990, Congress implemented the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act, which required all packaged foods to have nutrition labeling and created a standard for terms like "low fat" and "light." In 2006, nutrition labels were updated to include trans fat content. New nutrition labels that went into effect in 2021 mean it's now easier to see the calories and serving sizes as well as the total fat, saturated fat and trans fat.

Full Width — A 1960s-era family pours milk to drink with their dessert.
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Whole Milk FAQ

How many calories are in a glass of whole milk?

There are about 150 calories and 8 grams of fat in one glass (8 ounces) of whole milk.

What is whole milk?

Whole milk, though processed and homogenized, is as close to what the cow produced as you can get.

Is whole milk fattening?

Whole milk is not 100 percent fat, since cow's milk straight from the udder only contains 3.25 to 3.5 percent milk fat. Really, whole milk should be called "3.5 percent milk" or "3.25 percent milk." However, it's quite a bit higher in fat than skin or 1 percent milk.

Which type of milk is healthiest?

Two percent milk has about 60 percent the amount of fat as whole milk, while one percent has about 30 percent. Many nutrition experts advise consuming low or nonfat milk, however research has found that saturated fat from dairy consumption has a neutral effect on cardiovascular disease risk, so unless you're drinking huge amounts of milk, choose whatever percentage you actually enjoy.

Are there more vitamins in whole milk?

Vitamin D levels differ depending on the fat content of milk, but most manufacturers add it back in. However, omega-3 levels differ quite a bit between milk varieties with higher fat milk containing more healthy omega-3 fatty acids.