🟢 Safe
Oxalate <25 mg/serving
🟡 Caution
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving
🔴 Avoid
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving
🟢

Butter

🟢 Safe — Low Oxalate
0 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1 tbsp (14 g) | Per 100 g: 2 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

Butter is made from cream, and cream is dairy — which means zero oxalate. Use butter freely on toast, in cooking, and in baking. The saturated fat content is a cardiovascular consideration (separate from kidney stones) but for oxalate tracking, butter is a non-issue. It also adds a small amount of calcium. Margarine and plant-based butter alternatives vary by brand — most are low-oxalate, but check the ingredients for nut oils or seed concentrates if you're being extremely careful.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

0 mg
Oxalate / serving
Low Oxalate
63 mg
Sodium / 100g
Low Na
19.7 g
Protein / 100g
Tier 1
115 mg
Calcium / 100g
Tier 1

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1 tbsp14 g0 mg Safe
2 x 1 tbsp28 g0 mg Safe
½ x 1 tbsp7 g0 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Dairy & Eggs 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Calcium-Rich

🟢 See all Dairy & Eggs rated Safe for kidney stones →

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat Butter with kidney stones?

Yep, you're good. Butter clocks in at 0 mg oxalate per 1 tbsp — way under the 25 mg cutoff. Eat it without the stress. Measured by Harvard, not guessed.

How much oxalate is in Butter?

The lab result: 0 mg per 1 tbsp (14g serving). That's 2 mg per 100g. Harvard's ion chromatography analysis, 2024. Not crowdsourced, not estimated.

Is Butter high in oxalates?

It's low. 0 mg per 1 tbsp is well under the 25 mg danger line. Butter is not the food you need to worry about.

What can I eat instead of Butter?

Substitutes exist. The safe alternatives listed below are all low-oxalate foods in the same family as Butter. Grab one of those and you dodge the oxalate while keeping similar flavors.

How much sodium does Butter have?

Sodium's not the issue here. Butter has 63 mg per 100g — comfortably low. No need to worry about salt pushing extra calcium into your urine with this food.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

📚 Data Sources

Oxalate: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via OHF. Nutrition: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 2018 & Foundation Foods).

📖 Key Scientific References

Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Oxalate intake and the risk for nephrolithiasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(7):2198-2204. PMID: 17538185
Borghi L, Schianchi T, Meschi T, et al. Comparison of two diets for the prevention of recurrent stones in idiopathic hypercalciuria. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(2):77-84. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa010369
Fink HA, Akornor JW, Garimella PS, et al. Diet, fluid, or supplements for secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):72-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.03.031
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Gambaro G, Curhan GC. Dietary and lifestyle factors for primary prevention of nephrolithiasis. BMC Nephrol. 2020;21(1):267. PMID: 32652950
Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG, et al. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192(2):316-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.05.006
Liebman M, Costa G. Effects of calcium and magnesium on urinary oxalate excretion after oxalate loads. J Urol. 2000;163(5):1565-1569. PMID: 10751889
Holmes RP, Assimos DG. The impact of dietary oxalate on kidney stone formation. Urol Res. 2004;32(5):311-316. DOI: 10.1007/s00240-004-0437-3
Lin BB, Lin ME, Huang RH, et al. Dietary treatment and fluid intake for prevention of recurrent calcium stones. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0250257. PMID: 33872340
This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.