The Whopper has anchored Burger King's menu since 1957, and the family now runs from a 330-calorie Jr to a Texas Double at 1,600. Every published version is below — the speciality builds, both Impossible versions, and every Jr — so you can see exactly what the cheese, the second patty or the swap costs you.
Where the Whopper came from
Introduced 1957
Burger King co-founder James McLamore created the Whopper in 1957 and sold it for 37 cents. The build has barely moved since: a flame-grilled quarter-pound patty on a sesame seed bun with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and sliced onion.
- For the 2008 "Whopper Virgins" campaign, Burger King ran taste tests in places chosen because people there had never encountered Burger King or McDonald's, including parts of Thailand, Greenland and Romania.
- The 2020 "Moldy Whopper" ad showed a Whopper decomposing over 34 days to make the point that artificial preservatives had been removed. It generated 50 percent more awareness than the chain's 2019 Super Bowl spot.
Making one at home
The distinguishing feature is flame-grilling rather than griddling, which is what gives the patty its char. A quarter-pound patty cooked over an open flame, sesame seed bun, mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, dill pickles, ketchup and raw sliced onion. No cheese unless you ask — the standard Whopper does not include it, which is why the two are listed separately below.
A homemade version will not match the figures above — those are Burger King's own
published numbers for the restaurant item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Whopper?
A Whopper without cheese is 670 calories. With cheese it is 770.
How many calories are in a Whopper Jr?
330 calories without cheese — less than half a full Whopper.
What is the highest-calorie Whopper?
The Texas Double Whopper at 1,600 calories, followed by the Triple Whopper with cheese at 1,565 and the Crispy Onion Whopper at 1,150.
How many calories is a Crispy Onion Whopper?
1,150 calories. The Jr version is 570.
Is the Impossible Whopper lower in calories than a Whopper?
Only slightly. The Impossible Whopper is 630 calories against 670 for a standard Whopper without cheese, a difference of 40. It is a plant-based patty, not a low-calorie one.
Which Whopper has the fewest calories?
The Whopper Jr without cheese at 330 calories, followed by the Peppercorn BLT Whopper Jr at 380 and the BBQ Bacon Whopper Jr at 390.