Quarter Pounder with Cheese: Price, Calories and Nutrition (2026)

If the Big Mac is the icon, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese is the heavyweight. One thick beef patty, two slices of melted American cheese, and a build that has barely changed in decades. It is the burger McDonald’s fans point to when they want maximum beef per bite, and the fresh, cooked-to-order patty is what sets it apart from everything else on the grill. Here is the 2026 price, the calorie count, and the complete nutrition breakdown.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

Table of contents

• What is in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese
• Quarter Pounder nutrition facts
• Allergens
• How to customize your Quarter Pounder
• Quarter Pounder vs Big Mac
• Is the Quarter Pounder available all day
• Frequently asked questions

What is in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese

The star is a quarter-pound 100 percent fresh beef patty that is cooked when you order, not pulled from a warming tray. On top go two slices of American cheese, crinkle-cut pickles, slivered onions, ketchup, and mustard, all on a toasted sesame seed bun. The double cheese matters: one slice melts into the hot patty, the other drapes over the top, so you get cheese in every bite.

The fresh-beef approach is the whole point of this burger. Because the patty is cooked to order, it arrives hotter and juicier than the smaller frozen patties used on the rest of the menu, and you can taste the difference side by side.

Quarter Pounder nutrition facts

Full nutrition breakdown for one Quarter Pounder with Cheese, based on McDonald’s official US nutrition data.

Nutrient	Amount per Quarter Pounder with Cheese
Calories	520
Total fat	26g
Total carbohydrates	42g
Protein	30g
Sodium	1140mg

At 30 grams of protein it is one of the most filling single items on the menu. The number to watch is sodium: 1140 mg is nearly half the recommended daily limit in one sandwich. If you are watching salt intake, this burger deserves respect, not autopilot ordering.

Allergens

The Quarter Pounder with Cheese contains milk, sesame, soy, and wheat. The milk and soy come from the cheese and bun ingredients, the sesame from the bun, and the wheat from the bun as well. As with all McDonald’s burgers, cross-contact in the kitchen is possible, so check the current allergen guide at your restaurant if your allergy is severe.

How to customize your Quarter Pounder

• No onions, no pickles, or no mustard: free and routine.
• Extra cheese or extra pickles: usually a small upcharge for cheese, free for pickles at most locations.
• Add bacon: available at most restaurants for an upcharge and turns it into a proper bacon cheeseburger.
• Make it a Double Quarter Pounder: two fresh beef patties. It is a serious amount of food.
• No bun or lettuce wrap: possible on request, though the sesame bun is part of the experience.

The app shows every customization with its price before you pay, which beats trying to shout modifications over a drive-thru speaker.

Quarter Pounder vs Big Mac

The eternal debate. The Quarter Pounder has more beef in a single patty and is cooked fresh to order. The Big Mac has two smaller patties, the middle bun layer, and the signature sauce. Calorie-wise they are close: 520 for the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, 580 for the Big Mac. Pick the Quarter Pounder if you want beef flavor first. Pick the Big Mac if you want the sauce and the classic build.

Is the Quarter Pounder available all day

It is on the regular lunch and dinner menu, which typically starts at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends, though exact times vary by location. It is not served during breakfast hours.

Frequently asked questions

ManuBite Team. We track fast food prices and nutrition across the USA so you always know what your meal really costs, in dollars and in calories.