McDonald's guide
McDonald's menu, nutrition facts and ordering guide
McDonald's is the largest burger chain in the US, and for most people the questions are simple: what should I order, and what will it cost here? This guide answers both without guessing. It covers how to customize an order, how to use the app, and how to find the real price at your nearest restaurant.
It does not quote prices, because McDonald's prices vary by location. The nutrition figures in our table now come from McDonald's official US product pages, linked in the sources box above.
How to order smarter at McDonald's
Most McDonald's items can be customized. You can remove or add sauces, cheese, pickles, onions and other toppings in the app or at the kiosk. Small changes like dropping a sauce or cheese, or choosing a smaller size of fries or a drink, are the easiest ways to adjust a meal without giving up the item you came for.
- Customize toppings and sauces in the app or kiosk
- Choose the size of side and drink you actually want
- Compare the combo with individual items
- Water or an unsweetened drink keeps the order simple
Combo meals bundle a sandwich with fries and a drink. If you do not want all three, ordering items separately can make more sense. If you do, the meal is often the simpler choice. Check both totals in the app for your store.
Breakfast, lunch and late night
McDonald's breakfast hours and late night menus are set by each restaurant, and some locations offer a shorter menu overnight. If you want a specific item, check the app for your store's current menu and hours before you go.
Using the McDonald's app
The app lets you pick a restaurant, see that store's prices, customize items, apply offers and order ahead for pickup or curbside where available. It is also the easiest place to check whether a limited time item is still on the menu at your location.
McDonald's prices: how to find the real number
McDonald's does not publish one national US price list. Most restaurants are run by franchise owners who set their own prices, so the same item can cost noticeably more in a big city or an airport than in a small town. Rent, wages, local taxes and regional promotions all play a part. Any site listing exact McDonald's prices for the whole country is rounding, guessing or reporting a single store without saying so, which is why our McDonald's table shows Varies.
- Pick your exact restaurant in the app first
- Compare the same item at two nearby locations
- Check the total after tax before paying
- Note the date if you share a price
The most reliable way to see what you will pay is the McDonald's app or website. Choose your nearest restaurant first, because the menu and prices change with the location you pick. Prices for that store appear on each item and again before checkout, including tax. Screenshots from social media or old blog posts are often months or years out of date.
Delivery apps versus ordering direct
Third-party delivery apps frequently show higher menu prices than the restaurant itself, and then add service, delivery and small order fees on top. If you order McDonald's through a delivery app, compare the item price there with the price in the McDonald's app or website for the same location. The gap can be larger than the delivery fee alone suggests.
Ordering ahead in the McDonald's app or website and picking up yourself usually avoids those extra charges. It also gives you access to app-only deals when McDonald's runs them, which are not always available through delivery partners.
Where our McDonald's nutrition numbers come from
The figures in our McDonald's table come from McDonald's's own US product pages at mcdonalds.com, linked in the sources box above with the date we last checked them. This guide focuses on ordering and prices, so use the table for the numbers and check mcdonalds.com for any item or customization we do not list.
Each figure is copied from the official source for the exact item and size shown, then rounded to whole numbers. Restaurants change recipes and portion sizes from time to time, so we recheck the source on a regular schedule and update the last-checked date whenever we do. If you spot a number that no longer matches mcdonalds.com, email be@well.now and we will review it.
Allergies and special diets at McDonald's
If you have a food allergy, intolerance or medical diet, use McDonald's's official allergen and ingredient information and speak with staff when you order. Shared kitchens and fryers mean cross contact is possible. Our pages are a planning tool, not medical or dietary advice, and a registered dietitian can help with personal targets.
Using our tools with McDonald's
Our nutrition calculator can add up a McDonald's order using the official figures in our table. For items or customizations we do not list, check McDonald's site. The calorie budget planner works the same for any restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
Why does your McDonald's page show prices as Varies?
McDonald's has no national price list. Franchise owners set prices, so check the app for your nearest restaurant.
Are your McDonald's nutrition numbers official?
Yes. They come from McDonald's official US product pages, with the date we last checked them.
Is the app cheaper than delivery?
Often, yes. Delivery apps can show higher item prices plus fees. Compare the same order in both.
Can I customize McDonald's items?
Yes. Most toppings and sauces can be added or removed in the app or at the kiosk.
The takeaway
For McDonald's, customize in the app, compare combo and single item totals, check offers before each order and always pick your exact restaurant to see the real price. Use our table or mcdonalds.com for official nutrition.
