Gatorade vs Pedialyte: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Pedialyte Classic has 2.4 times the sodium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher per 12 fl oz (383 mg vs 162 mg). Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 4.6 times the sugar of Pedialyte Classic per 12 fl oz (21 g vs 4.6 g). Gatorade Thirst Quencher costs less per liter as mixed ($1.48 vs $5.49 for Pedialyte Classic).
Gatorade Thirst Quencher vs Pedialyte Classic, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Gatorade Thirst Quencher's label is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving; Pedialyte Classic's is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving. The per-serving numbers on the two labels can't be compared directly, so this page converts both to 12 fl oz and 1 liter of finished drink.
| Nutrient | Gatorade Thirst Quencher | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 84 kcal | 25 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 21 g | 6.7 g |
| Sugars | 21 g | 4.6 g |
| Added sugars | 21 g | 4.6 g |
| Sodium | 162 mg | 383 mg |
| Potassium | 48 mg | 277 mg |
| Chloride | not on label | 440 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Gatorade Thirst Quencher | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 237 kcal | 70 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 59 g | 19 g |
| Sugars | 59 g | 13 g |
| Added sugars | 59 g | 13 g |
| Sodium | 457 mg | 1,080 mg |
| Potassium | 135 mg | 780 mg |
| Chloride | not on label | 1,240 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Gatorade Thirst Quencher | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | ready-to-drink bottle | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 20 fl oz (591 mL) | 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) |
| Calories | 140 kcal | 70 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 35 g | 19 g |
| Sugars | 35 g | 13 g |
| Added sugars | 35 g | 13 g |
| Sodium | 270 mg | 1,080 mg |
| Potassium | 80 mg | 780 mg |
| Chloride | not on label | 1,240 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Shaded cells mark more electrolytes, or less sugar and fewer calories. Carbohydrate and caffeine are not marked, since more or less depends on your use. Neither label lists magnesium or calcium.
Gatorade Thirst Quencher label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade is a PepsiCo brand and Pedialyte is an Abbott brand.
Sodium per liter
Sweat carries about 230 to 1,610 mg of sodium per liter[1]. Both gauges use the same scale, so the markers line up.
Cost per serving and per 1,000 mg sodium
| Measure | Gatorade Thirst Quencher | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles | $5.49 for 1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle |
| Cost per serving | $0.87 | $5.49 |
| Cost per liter | $1.48 | $5.49 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.24 | $5.08 |
Gatorade Thirst Quencher price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from sugar and dextrose. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.
- 5.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Ascorbic Acid (to Protect Color), Natural Flavor, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Beta Carotene (Color).
- Sugar from dextrose. Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- Pedialyte Classic has no caffeine.
- 1.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Dextrose. Less than 0.5% of: Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6.
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Gatorade if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 162 mg vs 383 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want carbohydrate for energy during long sessions: 21 g vs 6.7 g per 12 fl oz
- you want to avoid sucralose and acesulfame potassium
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.48 vs $5.49
- you want the cheapest sodium: $3.24 vs $5.08 per 1,000 mg
Pick Pedialyte if
- you want more sodium: 383 mg vs 162 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want less sugar: 4.6 g vs 21 g per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 277 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
Where to buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, and it never changes the data or rankings. Affiliate disclosure.
Other Gatorade vs Pedialyte matchups
Gatorade Zero Sugar vs Pedialyte Classic
Pedialyte Classic has 2.4 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar per 12 fl oz (383 mg vs 162 mg). Pedialyte Classic has 4.6 g sugar per 12 fl oz; Gatorade Zero Sugar has none.
Gatorade Zero Sugar's label is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving; Pedialyte Classic's is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Gatorade Zero Sugar | Pedialyte Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 162 mg | 383 mg |
| Potassium | 48 mg | 277 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 1.2 g | 6.7 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 4.6 g |
| Calories | 3 kcal | 25 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $1.48 | $5.49 |
Gatorade Zero Sugar label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Zero Sugar price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Classic price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder vs Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs has 57% more sodium than Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder per 12 fl oz (488 mg vs 310 mg). Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder has 2.5 times the sugar of Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs per 12 fl oz (13 g vs 5.3 g).
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder's label is for one scoop serving in 12 fl oz (355 mL) of water; Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs' is for one stick in 16 fl oz (473 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder | Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 310 mg | 488 mg |
| Potassium | 140 mg | 450 mg |
| Magnesium | 0 mg | 41 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 21 g | 7.5 g |
| Sugars | 13 g | 5.3 g |
| Calories | 90 kcal | 30 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $2.14 | $4.22 |
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder price checked at Gatorade (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Pedialyte Sport Powder Packs price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Gatorade Thirst Quencher at Target on Sep 24, 2026 and Pedialyte Classic at Target on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Older records. The USDA food database has older figures for Pedialyte Classic that differ by more than 10%. We use the current label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Gatorade or Pedialyte?
Per 12 fl oz, Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Pedialyte Classic has 383 mg sodium and 277 mg potassium. Per liter that is 457 mg vs 1,080 mg sodium. Neither label lists magnesium.
Does Gatorade or Pedialyte have more sugar?
Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed. Pedialyte Classic: 4.6 g sugar and 25 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Why do Gatorade and Pedialyte list different serving sizes?
Gatorade Thirst Quencher's label is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving and Pedialyte Classic's is for a 33.8 fl oz (1,000 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 270 mg vs 1,080 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 162 mg vs 383 mg.
Which is cheaper, Gatorade or Pedialyte?
Gatorade Thirst Quencher worked out at $0.87 a serving, $1.48 a liter and $3.24 per 1,000 mg sodium (8 x 20 fl oz bottles at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Pedialyte Classic worked out at $5.49 a serving, $5.49 a liter and $5.08 per 1,000 mg sodium (1 x 33.8 fl oz (1 L) bottle at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Gatorade Zero Sugar compare with Pedialyte Classic?
Pedialyte Classic has 2.4 times the sodium of Gatorade Zero Sugar per 12 fl oz (383 mg vs 162 mg). Pedialyte Classic has 4.6 g sugar per 12 fl oz; Gatorade Zero Sugar has none. Per liter as mixed, Gatorade Zero Sugar costs $1.48 and Pedialyte Classic costs $5.49.
Is Gatorade or Pedialyte better for a hangover?
Neither label is evidence about hangovers, and we don't rate drinks on that. What the labels show: per 12 fl oz, Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 21 g sugar, and Pedialyte Classic has 383 mg sodium and 4.6 g sugar.