How Many Calories in a Philly Cheesesteak?
A standard 8-inch Philly cheesesteak has about 600 to 900 calories. A 6-inch runs closer to 450 to 650, and a full 12-inch can hit 1,000 to 1,200 or more, especially with double meat or extra cheese.
That is a wide range, and for good reason. Bread size, the type of cheese, how much steak is packed in, and whether onions and peppers are grilled in butter all shift the total. Below, we break it down by size, by meat type, and by whether you are eating it at a restaurant or making it at home.
Philly Cheesesteak Calories By Size
| Size | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| 6-inch | 450-650 kcal | 25-30g |
| 8-inch (standard) | 600-900 kcal | 35-45g |
| 12-inch (full size) | 1000-1200+ kcal | 55-65g |
A 12-inch Great Steak original Philly cheesesteak comes in at 1,070 calories, which lines up with this range. The biggest swing factor at any size is cheese choice: Cheez Whiz and American cheese are both higher in saturated fat than provolone, and heavier cheese portions can add 100+ calories on their own.
What's Actually Inside a Cheesesteak (Ingredient Breakdown)
Most calorie guides give you one final number and stop there. Here is where the calories actually come from, based on a standard cheesesteak build.
| Component | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Beef (ribeye or sirloin) | 4 oz | ~300 kcal |
| American cheese | 1 oz | ~100 kcal |
| Hoagie roll | 8-inch | ~210 kcal |
That is already 610 calories before onions, peppers, mushrooms, mayo, or a heavier cheese pour. Each of those extras typically adds 30-80 calories on its own, which is how a base sandwich creeps from 600 toward 900.
Calculate Your Exact Philly Cheesesteak Calories
Since meat type, bread size, and cheese all move the number independently, use this calculator to estimate your actual sandwich.
Calories in a Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
Swapping beef for chicken lowers the calorie count, but not by as much as people expect, because bread, cheese, and cooking oil still make up most of the total.
| Size | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 430 kcal | 32g |
| Regular | 720 kcal | 57g |
| Large | 1010 kcal | 82g |
These numbers come from a national chain's published nutrition data. Notice the protein is actually higher than the beef version pound-for-pound, since chicken breast has less fat per gram than ribeye, freeing up more of the calorie budget for protein instead of fat.
Calories in a Homemade Philly Cheesesteak
Making it at home is where you get real control. A standard homemade version, using the ingredient breakdown above (steak, cheese, roll, onions), lands around 650-750 calories per sandwich. But a lightened-up version can drop that significantly.
One home-cook approach uses lean flank steak, a lower-calorie cheese, and loads up on peppers, onions, and mushrooms instead of extra bread or mayo. That version comes in at about 375 calories per serving, roughly half of what a typical restaurant sandwich costs, without giving up the classic flavor.
What actually makes the difference at home:
- Choosing flank steak or sirloin over fattier ribeye cuts
- Using provolone or a reduced-fat cheese instead of Cheez Whiz
- Skipping mayo and adding extra grilled vegetables for volume
- Using a smaller or whole wheat roll to control the carb load
Chain and Brand Comparison
Here is how popular pre-made and restaurant versions stack up.
| Source | Serving | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Subway 6-inch Philly | 1 sandwich | 510 kcal |
| Publix Philly Cheese Steak Sub | 1 serving | 655 kcal |
| Great Value (frozen, half sandwich) | 163g | 340 kcal |
| Great Steak 12-inch | 1 sandwich | 1070 kcal |
The Great Value frozen version looks lowest here, but check the serving size closely, it is listed per half sandwich. A full frozen sandwich actually lands around 680 calories, right in line with the fresh restaurant versions.
Is a Philly Cheesesteak Healthy?
It depends on frequency and build. A nutrition breakdown from NutriScan notes that a standard cheesesteak provides around 35 grams of protein along with meaningful iron and zinc, so it is not empty calories even though it is calorie-dense. Lean red meat also contributes B12 and other nutrients that are harder to get from plant sources alone.
The catch is sodium and saturated fat. Between the beef, cheese, and roll, a single sandwich can easily carry 1,000+ mg of sodium. If you eat cheesesteaks occasionally and balance the rest of your day, it fits into a normal diet fine. Eating one daily alongside a high-sodium diet elsewhere is where it becomes a problem.
How a Cheesesteak Fits Your Daily Calories
At 600-900 calories for a standard size, a Philly cheesesteak can easily be your main meal for the day rather than a side dish. If you are working toward a specific daily calorie target, check your TDEE Calculator first, then use the calculator above to see how a 6-inch versus 12-inch fits what is left in your day. Our guide on how much protein you need per day can also help you decide if the 35-45g of protein in a standard cheesesteak covers a meaningful chunk of your daily target.
Common Mistakes That Add Hidden Calories
- Ordering "the works" (extra cheese, mayo, and a larger roll) without realizing each add-on stacks 30-90 calories
- Assuming chicken is always dramatically lower calorie, when bread and cheese make up most of the total either way
- Choosing Cheez Whiz for tradition without knowing it runs higher in saturated fat than provolone
- Not accounting for sandwich size differences between "regular" and "large" on different menus, since these labels are not standardized
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Philly cheesesteak (8-inch)?
An 8-inch Philly cheesesteak typically has 600 to 900 calories, depending on the cheese type and how much meat is used.
How many calories are in a chicken Philly cheesesteak?
A regular-size chicken Philly cheesesteak has about 720 calories with 57 grams of protein, based on published chain nutrition data. Smaller sizes run closer to 430 calories.
How many calories are in a homemade Philly cheesesteak?
A standard homemade version lands around 650-750 calories, but a lightened recipe using lean steak, less cheese, and extra vegetables can bring it down to about 375 calories.
Is a Philly cheesesteak good for weight loss?
It can fit occasionally if you choose a smaller size, lean meat, and lighter cheese, and pair it with vegetables instead of fries. It is calorie-dense enough that portion size matters more than usual.
Which has fewer calories, beef or chicken Philly cheesesteak?
Chicken is usually slightly lower in calories and fat than beef, but the difference is smaller than most people assume since bread and cheese contribute the bulk of the calories in both versions.
How many calories are in a 12-inch Philly cheesesteak?
A full 12-inch Philly cheesesteak typically runs 1,000 to 1,200+ calories, especially with double meat or extra cheese.