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A tangerine is a small, sweet, easy-to-peel citrus fruit from the mandarin group; USDA even files tangerines under the name “Tangerines (mandarin oranges)”. In the tangerine vs orange comparison, a medium tangerine is smaller and a little sweeter, with less vitamin C than an orange but more provitamin A carotenoids, especially beta-cryptoxanthin, according to USDA data. This guide covers what tangerines are, tangerine nutrition per fruit, how tangerines compare with oranges, canned tangerines and juice, and the cautions worth knowing.
Peptide Labs does not sell tangerines or tangerine products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Tangerines belong to the mandarin group of citrus; USDA lists them as tangerines (mandarin oranges).
- A medium tangerine (88 g) has about 47 calories, 1.6 grams of fiber and 26% of the Daily Value for vitamin C.
- Per 100 grams, an orange has about twice the vitamin C of a tangerine; tangerines have about three times the vitamin A activity.
- Canned tangerines in juice and in light syrup differ mainly in sugars and calories.
- Tangelos, a tangerine and grapefruit cross, may interact with some medicines like grapefruit.
What is a tangerine?
Botanists group tangerines with the mandarins, the loose-skinned citrus often given the name Citrus reticulata. Clementines and satsumas are other well-known mandarins. A 2018 genomic study in Nature found an extensive network of relatedness between mandarins and the sweet orange, with pomelo (pummelo) ancestry mixed into many mandarins, which helps explain why the fruits look and taste so alike. Tangelos are a different fruit again: FDA describes them as a cross between tangerines and grapefruit.
Tangerine nutrition facts
The table uses the USDA SR Legacy entry for raw tangerines (FDC 169105). Percent Daily Values use the FDA Daily Values; beta-cryptoxanthin has no Daily Value, so it is shown as an amount only.
| Nutrient | 1 medium tangerine (88 g) | %DV | 1 cup sections (195 g) | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 47 | 103 | ||
| Carbohydrate | 11.7 g | 4% | 26.0 g | 9% |
| Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | 3.5 g | 13% |
| Total sugars | 9.3 g | no DV | 20.6 g | no DV |
| Protein | 0.7 g | 1% | 1.6 g | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 23.5 mg | 26% | 52 mg | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 30 mcg RAE | 3% | 66 mcg RAE | 7% |
| Beta-cryptoxanthin | 358 mcg | no DV | 794 mcg | no DV |
| Potassium | 146 mg | 3% | 324 mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 33 mg | 3% | 72 mg | 6% |
| Folate | 14 mcg DFE | 4% | 31 mcg DFE | 8% |
In short, tangerine nutrition looks like a smaller, sweeter orange with a different vitamin mix: a modest amount of vitamin C and fiber per fruit, very little fat or sodium, and a notable amount of carotenoid pigments, which give the flesh its deep color. Because tangerines are small, a cup of sections (about two medium fruits) is a fairer comparison with one orange.
Tangerine vs orange
Here is the tangerine vs orange comparison per 100 grams, with clementines added for reference. Values are from USDA SR Legacy entries for raw tangerines (169105), raw oranges of all commercial varieties (169097) and raw clementines (168195).
| Per 100 g (USDA SR Legacy) | Tangerine | Orange | Clementine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 53 | 47 | 47 |
| Carbohydrate | 13.3 g | 11.8 g | 12.0 g |
| Fiber | 1.8 g | 2.4 g | 1.7 g |
| Total sugars | 10.6 g | 9.4 g | 9.2 g |
| Vitamin C | 26.7 mg | 53.2 mg | 48.8 mg |
| Vitamin A | 34 mcg RAE | 11 mcg RAE | not listed |
| Beta-cryptoxanthin | 407 mcg | 116 mcg | not listed |
| Potassium | 166 mg | 181 mg | 177 mg |
| Folate | 16 mcg DFE | 30 mcg DFE | 24 mcg DFE |
- Vitamin C. Gram for gram, an orange has about twice the vitamin C of a tangerine in USDA data. Our oranges guide has the per-fruit numbers.
- Vitamin A activity. Tangerines have roughly three times the vitamin A (as RAE) and three and a half times the beta-cryptoxanthin of oranges per 100 grams. ODS lists beta-cryptoxanthin with beta-carotene as a provitamin A carotenoid; see our beta-carotene guide for how these pigments are converted.
- Fiber and sugars. Oranges have a bit more fiber and a bit less sugar per 100 grams; both are low-calorie fruits.
- Size and convenience. Tangerines are smaller, peel by hand more easily and split into segments, which many people find handy for lunch boxes and snacks.
Clementines are covered in their own guide; for most shoppers the choice between these citrus fruits comes down to taste, seeds and how easily they peel, since all of them are nutritious options.
Tangerine benefits: what the evidence supports
Most tangerine benefits come from the nutrients in the table rather than from studies of tangerines themselves, which are scarce. The NIH ODS vitamin C fact sheet describes vitamin C as needed for collagen production, involved in immune function and helpful for absorbing nonheme iron from plant foods; the vitamin A fact sheet explains that the body can convert provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-cryptoxanthin into vitamin A. Fiber adds to the daily total covered in our high fiber foods guide. For a wider list of vitamin C sources, see foods high in vitamin C.
Be cautious with claims that tangerines or tangerine extracts “boost” anything specific. Lab and animal research on citrus compounds does not show what eating the fruit does in people, and no large human trials of tangerines are available. Supplements made from citrus peel, such as the extracts in our bitter orange guide, are a separate topic with their own safety questions.
Canned tangerines and tangerine juice
Canned mandarin segments are often sold as canned tangerines. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines suggest choosing canned fruit packed in 100% juice or the options lowest in added sugars, and the 2025-2030 edition says canned fruit with no or very limited added sugars can be a good option. USDA data show the difference syrup makes:
| Per 1 cup (USDA SR Legacy) | Calories | Total sugars | Fiber | Vitamin C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canned, juice pack (169106), 249 g | 92 | 22.1 g | 1.7 g (6% DV) | 85 mg (95% DV) |
| Canned, light syrup (169924), 252 g | 154 | 39.0 g | 1.8 g (6% DV) | 50 mg (55% DV) |
| Tangerine juice, raw (169925), 247 g | 106 | 24.5 g | 0.5 g (2% DV) | 77 mg (85% DV) |
As with oranges, juice keeps much of the vitamin C but loses nearly all the fiber, and the Dietary Guidelines advise limited portions of 100% juice or diluting it with water. Our low sugar fruits guide compares sugars across many fruits.
Who should be careful with tangerines
- People on certain medicines. FDA warns that tangelos, along with Seville oranges and pomelos, might affect some drugs the same way grapefruit juice does. Plain tangerines are not on that list, but fexofenadine labels say not to take the drug with fruit juices. Ask a pharmacist, and see our CBD drug interactions article for how these interactions work.
- People with diabetes. Tangerines are naturally sweet, and canned fruit in syrup adds sugars. Ask your clinician or dietitian how fruit fits your plan; our low glycemic foods guide may help.
- Citrus allergy. Citrus is not one of the nine major food allergens under US law, so it may not be named in a “Contains” statement; read ingredient lists if citrus bothers you.
Choosing and storing tangerines
Look for tangerines that feel heavy for their size with glossy, deep orange skin; a slightly loose peel is normal for mandarins, but avoid soft spots or mold. Keep them on the counter for a few days or in the refrigerator for longer. ODS notes that vitamin C falls with prolonged storage, so eating fruit within a reasonable time keeps more of it. Wash the peel before cutting or zesting, as the Dietary Guidelines advise for all fruit eaten raw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tangerine a type of orange?
A tangerine is a mandarin, a close relative of the sweet orange. USDA lists tangerines as mandarin oranges, but botanists classify mandarins and sweet oranges as separate groups.
How many calories are in a tangerine?
About 47 calories in a medium tangerine of 88 grams and about 103 in a cup of sections, in USDA data.
Which is healthier, a tangerine or an orange?
Neither is clearly healthier. Oranges have about twice the vitamin C per 100 grams; tangerines have more vitamin A activity from carotenoids. Both are low-calorie fruits with some fiber.
Do tangerines have a lot of sugar?
A medium tangerine has about 9 grams of natural sugars. Canned tangerines in light syrup have much more sugar per cup than those packed in juice.
What is the difference between a tangerine and a tangelo?
A tangelo is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit. FDA says tangelos might interact with some medicines the way grapefruit juice does.
Can you eat tangerine peel?
The peel can be zested like orange peel after washing. Most people discard it because it is bitter and tough when eaten whole.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Oranges: Nutrition Facts, Benefits and Juice vs Whole Fruit, Clementine: Clementine Nutrition and Clementine vs Tangerine, Foods High in Vitamin C: USDA List of Fruits and Vegetables.