Frequently Asked Questions

Every product is scored across five transparent dimensions: Protein Efficiency (grams of protein per 100 kcal), Value for Money (grams of protein per unit of currency), Leanness (protein-to-fat ratio), Low Carb (net carbs per serving), and Fiber (grams of fibre per 100 kcal). Each dimension produces a percentile rank within the product's category. There are no subjective grades and no pay-to-rank sponsorships — just published nutrition data. Learn more on our Methodology page.

We use the nutrition information printed on product packaging or published on the manufacturer's official website. We do not rely on third-party databases or user-submitted values. We do our best to keep data current when products update their formulation — but if you spot a discrepancy, you can use the "Report an issue" link on any product page to flag it directly, or reach out via our contact form. We'll get it corrected.

Rankings recalculate automatically whenever new products are added or existing data is corrected. Because rankings are percentile-based, adding a single new product can shift every other product's position within that category.

It answers the question: for every 100 calories I consume from this product, how many grams are protein? A higher number means the product is more efficient at delivering protein without extra calories from fat or carbs. It's the single most useful macro-level signal for comparing products fairly regardless of serving size.

We express Value as grams of protein you get per unit of your local currency — for example 5.88 g/$ or 4.12 g/£. The figure adapts to whichever currency you've selected, so you can compare a scoop of powder against a ready-to-drink bottle in terms that make sense to you. Higher means better value.

Percentile ranks tell you exactly where a product sits relative to every other product in its category — the 92nd percentile means it outperforms 92% of comparable products on that dimension. It's more informative than star ratings, which compress nuance into a handful of buckets.

In addition to our data-driven dimension rankings, users can rate any product from 1 to 5 stars and leave an optional written review. User ratings reflect personal experience — taste, texture, mixability — while our dimension scores reflect objective nutrition and value data. Together they give you the full picture.

No. MacroXray is a data-comparison platform, not a testing lab. We rank based on the nutrition information brands publish. If independent lab testing reveals a discrepancy with a label, we note it where relevant, but our default source of truth is the official label.

Optimize lets you pick a goal — like maximising protein efficiency, cutting, bulking, or going low carb — choose a product type, and apply dietary filters. It re-ranks the entire database around your priorities so you see the best products for your specific goal. Try Optimize

Benchmark lets you enter the nutrition facts of any product — even one not yet in our database — and instantly see where it would rank against the existing category. It's useful for evaluating a new launch, a homemade recipe, or a product from a region we haven't indexed yet. Try Benchmark

Crave is a discovery tool. Pick a product type, choose a flavour, set calorie or protein targets, and apply dietary filters — Crave surfaces the best matches from the database. It's the fastest way to find something that fits exactly what you're in the mood for. Try Crave

No. All rankings, product pages, and tools are accessible without signing in. A free account unlocks extra features like creating product lists, rating products, writing reviews, and sharing lists with friends — but browsing and comparing is fully open.

Yes. The site is completely free to use. We sustain the project through affiliate links — when you click through to a retailer and purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences rankings.

Every product page has a "Report an issue" link just below the nutrition data. Tap it, pick what's wrong (wrong price, broken link, incorrect nutrition info, etc.), add an optional note with details, and submit. You'll need a free account so we can follow up if needed. Reports go straight to our team and we typically action them within a day or two. We really appreciate the help — it's how we keep MacroXray accurate.

Yes, completely free. Creating an account unlocks features like product lists, ratings, reviews, and sharing — there are no paid tiers or hidden charges.

Tap the sign-in button in the top navigation. You can create an account with your email or sign in with Google — it takes a few seconds and you're good to go.

Yes. Once signed in you can create as many custom lists as you like — a wishlist of products to try, a list of products you've tested, your daily rotation, or anything else. Organise them however makes sense for you.

Yes. Any list can be made public with a single toggle, giving you a shareable link anyone can view (but not edit). No account is required on their end — great for sharing recommendations with friends or posting in communities. If you change your mind, just toggle the list back to private and the link will stop working.

Yes. You can give any product a 1–5 star rating and optionally write a review. You can also tag your review with keywords like 'great taste' or 'mixes well' to help others find what matters to them. All your ratings and reviews are saved in your profile.

We cover products that are marketed for their high protein or nutritional value. Current categories include Protein Powder, Clear Protein, RTD Shakes, Protein Bars, Protein Crisps, Sweet Snacks, Savoury Snacks, and Smoothies. New categories are added as the market evolves. Browse all products

Classification is based on the product's physical form and preparation method — not its marketing. A product sold as a 'shake' but delivered as a powder you mix is classified as powder. Flavour names never drive classification (e.g. a 'Barbecue' flavoured product isn't classified as a bar).

Yes — reach out via our contact form. We prioritise products that are commercially available and have published nutrition information.

No. Rankings are calculated purely from nutrition and price data. Affiliate partnerships have zero influence on position, score, or visibility. Products without affiliate links appear and rank identically to those with them.