They’re big, juicy, tasty—and if they’re loaded with bacon, condiments, and cheese, all the better. It’s no surprise that burgers are one of America’s most popular foods, with diners eating three burgers on average every month, mostly from fast-food chains.

While a fast-food burger might hit the spot in the moment, it’s not the best choice for a healthy diet. Since burgers are typically high in sodium, fat, and carbohydrates, consuming too many can have a negative impact on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall mood.

Fast-food burger trends have taken nutritional value—or the lack thereof—to the extreme. Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, and Whoppers were the large burgers in the 1970s and 1980s, but now chains offer double- and triple-sized versions of their classics. The bacon trend of the 2010s saw more and more burgers piling on the ingredient, while certain chains made splashy headlines with the various types of add-ons they could fit between two buns. In recent years, smashburgers, a style popular at many classic fast-food chains, have swept the nation; however, the thinner patties do not necessarily mean fewer calories, fat, or sodium.

When evaluating the nutritional value of fast-food burgers, it’s essential to consider some context. The Food and Drug Administration’s recommended daily allowances, or RDAs, are designed to help consumers understand the nutritional value of the food they eat. As a general guideline, they’re based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, but everyone’s RDA can vary depending on age, sex, weight, height, and amount of daily physical activity.

So, which burgers are the worst for you? Stacker identified the single most caloric burger at 20 major fast-food chains using nutritional data from Nutritionix, the FDA’s daily value guidelines, and individual company websites. The nutritional information is accurate as of October 2025. Note: Nutritional values are estimates that may vary based on preparation, and published data from restaurants may contain errors. We have noted any limited-time offers wherever applicable.

Read on to see if your go-to burger is on the list—and how it could affect your daily nutrition.