Most energy gels pack about 20 to 25 grams of carbs and roughly 100 calories in a single serving. Hüma's standard Original and PLUS gels run 24 to 25 grams depending on the flavor, at about 100 calories, while the higher-carb Ultra delivers 40 grams at 160 calories. Since most endurance athletes aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbs an hour, that works out to roughly two to three gels per hour.
How many carbs are in a typical energy gel?
A standard energy gel lands in the 20-to-25-gram range for carbs, with around 100 calories, all of it fast-absorbing carbs meant to reach your bloodstream quickly during exercise. There's little to no fat or protein in a fueling gel — the whole point is compact, ready energy. Higher-carb "endurance" gels go further, packing 40 grams or more into a bigger serving for athletes who want fewer packets per hour.
How many carbs are in each Hüma gel?
Hüma's numbers are easy to plan around. The Original line runs 24 to 25 grams of carbs depending on the flavor, and PLUS is 24 grams — both at about 100 calories per pouch. The Ultra is the high-carb option — 40 grams and 160 calories in a larger 70-gram packet — built for athletes who want to hit their hourly target with fewer packets. (The Hydration drink mix is a separate product, not a gel: a 5-gram stick at 10 calories, made for electrolytes rather than carb fueling.)
| Hüma line | Carbs | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 24–25g (by flavor) | ~100 |
| PLUS | 24g | ~100 |
| Ultra | 40g | 160 |
The difference between Original and PLUS isn't really the carbs — both sit right around 24 grams — it's the electrolytes: PLUS carries roughly double the sodium. See Original vs. PLUS for how to choose between them.
Where do the carbs come from?
In Hüma's Original and PLUS gels, the carbs come from real-food sources — brown rice syrup, real fruit purees and concentrates, and in the Original line, cane sugar — rather than maltodextrin. The Ultra uses a mix of simple and complex carbs from brown rice syrup, apple, banana, sweet potato, and coconut for a bigger, longer-burning payload. The chia in every Hüma gel isn't a carb source; its fiber modulates carbohydrate uptake to a usable rate, which is part of why the gels tend to sit easier. Want the absorption side? Read how much is too much.
How many carbs per hour do you actually need?
Most endurance athletes — runners, cyclists, and triathletes — target 30 to 60 grams of carbs per hour on efforts past about an hour, and well-trained athletes on long days push higher. With a standard ~24-gram gel, that's roughly two to three per hour; with the 40-gram Ultra, fewer packets cover the same ground. Your gut sets the ceiling: a single carb source tops out around 60 grams an hour, while a glucose-fructose mix lets trained athletes absorb more. For the full breakdown, see how many carbs per hour for a marathon.
Counting carbs with Hüma
Hüma keeps the math clean: about 24 to 25 grams in a standard Original or PLUS gel, 40 grams in an Ultra. Building a race plan is just arithmetic from there — two to three Original or PLUS gels an hour to sit in the 30-to-60-gram range, or lean on the Ultra when you'd rather carry fewer packets for the same carbs. Every gram is fast-absorbing carbs from real-food sources with chia, taken with water at a steady rate, so you can hit your hourly number and finish strong. Not sure which flavors to start with? The Hüma flavor guide walks through the lineup.
Related guides
- How many carbs per hour for a marathon
- Original vs. PLUS: which Hüma is right for you
- Can you take too many energy gels?
- The Hüma flavor guide
FAQ
How many carbs are in one energy gel?
Most gels contain about 20 to 25 grams of carbs and roughly 100 calories. Hüma's standard gels are 24 to 25 grams depending on the flavor, and the higher-carb Ultra is 40 grams at 160 calories.
How many calories are in an energy gel?
A standard gel is around 100 calories, almost all of it from fast-absorbing carbs. Hüma Original and PLUS are about 100 calories; the larger Ultra is 160 calories for its 40 grams of carbs.
How many energy gels should I take per hour?
Most endurance athletes aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbs an hour, which is roughly two to three standard gels per hour. With the 40-gram Ultra, fewer packets cover the same target.
Do Hüma Original and PLUS have the same carbs?
Nearly - PLUS is 24 grams and Original is 24 to 25 depending on the flavor, so the carbs are basically the same. The real difference is electrolytes: PLUS carries roughly double the sodium of Original.
Where do the carbs in a Hüma gel come from?
From real-food sources - brown rice syrup, real fruit purees and concentrates, and cane sugar in the Original line - rather than maltodextrin. The chia isn't a carb source; its fiber modulates carbohydrate uptake to a usable rate.
