Most healthy adults are advised to keep salt to about 1 teaspoon (around 5–6 g of salt, which is roughly 2,300 mg sodium) per day, and many heart-health organizations suggest aiming even lower if possible.

Quick Scoop: Daily Salt Targets

  • For most adults, health agencies recommend no more than ~5–6 g of salt per day (about 1 level teaspoon, including salt already in foods).
  • This equals roughly 2,000–2,300 mg of sodium per day , which is the limit set by bodies like WHO, the FDA, and other major guidelines.
  • Many people actually eat much more than this (often around 3,400 mg sodium per day), mainly from processed and restaurant foods.

When You May Need Less

  • If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or are at high cardiovascular risk, clinicians often advise staying closer to the lower end (around 1,500–2,000 mg sodium, i.e., under a teaspoon of salt).
  • Children’s safe limits are lower than adults’ , adjusted to their smaller energy needs, so kids should generally get clearly less than the adult maximum.

Simple Ways to Stay Within Limits

  • Focus on fresh or minimally processed foods; most excess salt comes from breads, processed meats, sauces, and ready meals, not the salt shaker.
  • Check nutrition labels for sodium per serving, choose “low sodium” options, and be cautious with salty condiments like soy sauce and ketchup.
  • When cooking, flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, and vinegar so you can use less added salt while keeping meals satisfying.

TL;DR: For most adults, stay around ≤ 1 teaspoon of salt per day from all sources, and if you have blood pressure or heart issues, talk to a clinician about aiming even lower. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.