Subway's Footlong is the chain's signature format — but with frequently changing promotions, it's hard to know when you're actually getting a deal. Is the Footlong really better value than two 6-inch subs, or does it just feel that way? This 2026 guide uses live Subway menu prices to show current Footlong and 6-inch costs, the best-value subs, and whether the Footlong upgrade is worth your money — with the per-inch math done for you.
How we worked out the value
For each popular sub we pulled both the live 6-inch and Footlong prices from our database, then compared the Footlong against the cost of two 6-inch subs (the same amount of sandwich). Wherever the Footlong came in cheaper than two 6-inch subs, we flagged it as "Better per inch." Every price is a real current US menu price — the verdicts come straight from the numbers, not from a guess.
Subway Footlong vs 6-Inch Prices (US, 2026)
Here's how popular subs price out at both sizes, with the per-inch value highlighted.
| Sub | 6-inch | Footlong | Footlong value? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Forest Ham | $8.46 | $13.51 | Better per inch |
| B.M.T.® | $9.39 | $14.87 | Better per inch |
| All American Club® | $10.45 | $16.65 | Better per inch |
| Grilled Chicken | $9.93 | $15.52 | Better per inch |
| Chicken & Bacon Ranch | $10.69 | $17.20 | Better per inch |
| Cheesy Garlic | $10.21 | $16.10 | Better per inch |
| 5 Meat Italian | $12.08 | $18.40 | Better per inch |
Is the Footlong Worth It?
The data is clear: across every sub we checked, the Footlong is better value per inch than two 6-inch subs. Take the Black Forest Ham — a 6-inch is $8.46, but the Footlong is just $13.51. Two 6-inch subs would cost $16.92, so the Footlong saves you roughly $3.40 for the same amount of sandwich. The same pattern holds for the B.M.T.®, All American Club® and the rest.
Verdict: If you'll eat the whole thing (or save half for later), the Footlong is almost always the smarter buy. Order a 6-inch only when you genuinely want a smaller portion.
Best-Value Footlongs in 2026
- Black Forest Ham ($13.51) — the cheapest classic Footlong and consistently the best entry-level value.
- B.M.T.® ($14.87) — more meat for not much more money; a strong step up.
- Grilled Chicken ($15.52) — the best-value protein-forward pick, ideal if you want a leaner sub.
Watch for Subway's rotating BOGO and app-only promotions, which can push these even lower — always check the official Subway app before ordering.
Make It a Combo
Adding chips and a drink via a combo is usually only a couple of dollars more than the sub alone. A Cold Cut Combo® 6" combo, for instance, comes to $9.59 — one of the better-value full meals in fast food, as we cover in our Fast Food Price Comparison.
Watching Calories?
Subway subs range widely — a 6" B.L.T. is about 317 calories, while loaded Footlongs climb much higher. See where Subway lands among the leanest options in our lowest-calorie fast food meals guide.
Why the per-inch math matters more than the sticker price
The headline Footlong price can look daunting next to a 6-inch, which is exactly why so many people reach for the smaller sub and feel like they saved money. The per-inch comparison flips that instinct. Because a Footlong is two 6-inch subs' worth of sandwich for noticeably less than two 6-inch prices, the larger size is the one delivering more food per pound spent — every time, on every sub we checked. The trick is simply not to compare a Footlong against a 6-inch (they're different amounts of food); compare it against two 6-inch subs, which is the fair like-for-like. Once you frame it that way, the Footlong stops looking like the expensive option and starts looking like the bulk discount it actually is.
Make the leftovers work for you
The one honest caveat to "always buy the Footlong" is waste: a deal is only a deal if you eat it. Subway subs hold up well wrapped in the fridge, so the smart play if you can't finish one in a sitting is to eat half now and save half for later — turning one Footlong into two cheaper meals rather than one oversized one. That's how the per-inch saving translates into real money in your pocket rather than food in the bin. If you genuinely only want a light meal and won't keep the rest, that's the one scenario where a 6-inch is the right call.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subway Footlong better value than two 6-inch subs? Yes — on every sub we checked, the Footlong costs less than two 6-inch subs for the same amount of sandwich. The Black Forest Ham Footlong ($13.51) saves about $3.40 versus two 6-inch subs ($16.92).
What is the cheapest Subway Footlong in 2026? The Black Forest Ham Footlong at $13.51 is the cheapest classic Footlong and the best entry-level value.
How much is a Subway Footlong? Current US prices range from $13.51 for the Black Forest Ham up to $18.40 for the 5 Meat Italian, with most popular subs falling in between.
Should I ever order a 6-inch instead? Only when you genuinely want a smaller portion. Per inch, the Footlong is the smarter buy every time — but if half a sub is enough, the 6-inch saves you the leftover.
In 2026, the Subway Footlong is the better-value choice on essentially every sub — the per-inch math favors it every time. Start with the Black Forest Ham Footlong for the lowest price, layer app deals on top, and compare it against other chains. Browse the full lineup on our Subway menu page.
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