Daily Value (DV)

What Is a Daily Value?

The Daily Value (DV) is a reference amount used on Nutrition Facts labels in the United States to help consumers understand how a food fits into an overall diet. The DVs are based on dietary reference values established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and apply to a general 2,000-calorie daily diet for adults and children 4 years of age and older.

The %DV column on a food label tells you what percentage of that nutrient's recommended daily amount is provided by one serving of the food. For example, a food providing 130 mg of calcium per serving contributes 10% DV if the DV for calcium is 1,300 mg.

Reference Values for Key Nutrients

• Total Fat: 78 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Sodium: 2,300 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 275 g
• Dietary Fiber: 28 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Vitamin D: 20 mcg (800 IU)
• Calcium: 1,300 mg
• Iron: 18 mg
• Potassium: 4,700 mg

How to Use %DV

A general guide: 5% DV or less is considered low for a nutrient, while 20% DV or more is considered high. For nutrients you want to limit — such as saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars — choose foods with lower %DV. For nutrients you want to increase — such as fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium — aim for higher %DV. The DVs were last updated by the FDA in 2016 and reflect current nutrition science; they differ slightly from the RDA values established by the National Academies, which are sex- and age-specific.