Subway sells two sizes of sub — the 6-inch and the Footlong — and the choice is more consequential than it looks. It changes the price per gram of protein, whether app offers apply, how the sandwich survives a commute, and whether you have eaten a lunch or half a day's calories.
How big are they really?
A Footlong is baked from a dough portion intended to produce a roughly 12-inch roll; because bread is proofed and baked in-store, individual rolls come out anywhere from about 11 to 12 inches. A 6-inch is a Footlong cut in half — the same roll, the same fillings, halved. There is no separately baked short loaf, which is why the two sizes always share bread options (see our bread guide).
Price and value
| Measure | 6-inch | Footlong |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 price | $6.00–$9.50 | $9.50–$14.50 |
| Meat portion | 1x | 2x |
| Cost per inch | ~$1.00–$1.60 | ~$0.80–$1.20 |
| Typical calories (turkey build) | ~280–480 | ~560–950 |
The Footlong is almost always the better value per inch and per gram of protein — usually about 60–75% more money for 100% more food. That is why the sensible move for two people is one Footlong split, not two 6-inch subs, which typically saves $3–$6. Store-by-store ranges are in our price guide.
When the 6-inch is the right answer
- Calorie control. Halving the sub is the single easiest cut you can make.
- Sub of the Day. The $4.99-style deal is usually a 6-inch — see our deals guide.
- Kids and light eaters. Or the smaller options in our kids menu guide.
- Premium subs. Steak and bacon builds get expensive fast at Footlong size.
When the Footlong wins
- App offers. Most BOGO and percentage-off promos are Footlong-only — see our coupons guide.
- Two meals. Ask for it cut and wrapped separately, sauce on the side, and the second half survives until dinner.
- High-protein days. A Footlong chicken build clears 50 g of protein.
- Delivery. Fees are fixed regardless of size, so the bigger order absorbs them better — the maths is in our delivery guide.
Halving a Footlong properly
Ask for two things at the counter: cut and wrapped as two halves, and any wet sauce in cups. A sauced, toasted half left in a bag for four hours steams itself soft. Fridge the second half within two hours and eat it the same day.
Frequently asked
Is a Subway Footlong really 12 inches?
It is baked to target roughly 12 inches, but in-store proofing means real rolls vary by about an inch either way. A US class-action over this was dismissed years ago after the court accepted that natural bake variation, not underfilling, explained the difference.
Are there other sizes?
Wraps, salads and No Bready Bowls sit outside the size system, and catering Giant Subs run 3 to 6 feet — see our catering guide and wraps and bowls comparison.
Do 6-inch subs get half the meat?
Yes — exactly half the standard Footlong portion, which is why double meat on a 6-inch gives you a Footlong's protein in half the bread.
Prices and portions are set by individual franchisees and vary by location; figures here are typical US ranges as of August 2026.
