Frequently asked questions
About the calculator
Do I need an account?
No. There is no sign-up, email or password. You open the site and use it.
Is my meal sent to a server?
No. The math happens on your device. The meal is kept only in your browser. If you copy the meal's link, the data travels inside the address itself, and anyone who gets the link can see what's in it.
Do my saved meals disappear?
They stay on this device and in this browser until you delete them or clear your browser data. They don't show up on another phone or browser. To take a meal somewhere else, use the link or export a PDF or CSV.
How do I add up several foods?
Add each one to the meal and set the amount. Liorno multiplies the USDA values per 100 g by your amount and adds everything up. The totals are in the bar at the bottom of the screen.
Can I use it for a recipe?
Yes, ingredient by ingredient. One catch: Liorno adds up what you weigh. If the recipe loses water while cooking (a sauce that reduces, for example), weigh the finished dish when you divide it into servings, instead of using the weight of the raw ingredients.
Does it work on my phone?
It was designed for phones first. You can install it as an app: on Android through the Chrome menu (“Install app”), on iPhone through Safari (Share, then “Add to Home Screen”).
Can I switch between grams and ounces?
Yes. You can enter amounts in grams, ounces or servings, and the totals stay the same.
What formats can I export?
A one-page PDF, an image, a CSV (for Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers) and a link. The file is created on your device and carries the USDA credit.
About the data
Where do the numbers come from?
From USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy dataset (final release, April 2018). See sources and credits.
Is the USDA data accurate?
It is the reference table for generic foods in the US and is widely used by researchers and dietitians. Still, the values are averages compiled from analyses, calculations and published literature, and the dataset hasn't been updated since 2018. Use it as a reference, not as an exact measurement of what's on your plate.
Why does the data stop at 2018?
SR Legacy is the USDA's historical reference table, and its last update was in April 2018. The USDA keeps adding newer datasets to FoodData Central, but they cover fewer foods or are built differently. Liorno uses SR Legacy because it has the broadest list of generic foods.
Why do raw and cooked rice have such different calories?
Because cooked rice absorbs water. 100 g of cooked rice has much less rice in it than 100 g of raw rice, so far fewer calories. Always pick the line for the state you weighed the food in.
What does “at least” mean in a total?
That at least one food in the meal has no value for that nutrient in the data. The total adds up only the foods that have one. The real value is equal or higher. That is different from zero.
Why do some foods have no value for a nutrient?
The USDA doesn't have every nutrient for every food. When a value is missing, Liorno shows “no data” instead of making up a number.
Why can't I find a brand-name product or a restaurant item?
Liorno uses generic foods from SR Legacy. It does not include brand-name products or restaurant-chain menu items. Try the plain version (“cola”, “hamburger, plain”) or check the label.
Why is the food name different from the USDA name?
To make it easier to find. “Black beans, cooked” is “Beans, black, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt” in the original. The original name is on every food's page.
Do the values apply to the brand I buy?
Not necessarily. These are averages for generic foods. For packaged products, go by the label.
What is the Daily Value (DV)?
A reference amount for adults, used on food labels. It shows how much of it a meal covers. It is not your need, which depends on age, body, health and more, and a health professional is the right person to assess that.
Can I use Liorno to make a Nutrition Facts label for food I sell?
No. Liorno gives estimates for personal use. Labeling food for sale has its own rules and requires methods Liorno does not provide.
About the project
Is Liorno part of the USDA or the government?
No. It is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USDA. The data is theirs, the site is not.
Does it replace a dietitian?
No. Liorno shows what the data says about the foods you pick. It does not assess your health, tell you how much to eat or prescribe a diet.
Is it free? Will there be ads?
It is free and, for now, has no ads and no advertising or analytics cookies. If ads ever appear, the privacy policy will be updated first. See the privacy policy.
How do I report a mistake or suggest a food?
Write to contact@liorno.com with the food's name and what's wrong.