Analysis of proximate composition, lipid fraction (fatty acids, lipid classes), macroelements and trace elements was carried out on brown (Cystoseira stricta; Cystoseira compressa), red (Corallina elongata) and green (Enteromorpha compressa; Ulva lactuca) seaweeds collected from the west Algerian coast, to assess their nutritional value. Protein, lipid, carbohydrate and ash content (g kg −1 dry alga) was in the ranges 58.5-141.4, 6.4-27.1, 134.0-461.1 and 246.1-764.2, respectively. The lowest caloric value was obtained for C. elongata (827.6 kcal kg −1 dry alga), the remaining values being in the range 2,106-2,479 kcal kg −1 dry alga. C. elongata and C. stricta provided the highest PUFA content, while a valuable n-6/n-3 ratio of between 0.95 and 4.20 was obtained for all species. α-Tocopherol was present in all seaweeds, the highest level being obtained in U. lactuca. Macroelements K and Na were predominant in C. compressa and C. stricta, Mg and Ca being most abundant in E. compressa and C. elongata, respectively. In all cases, a healthy Na/K value < 0.7 was observed, while a profitable ion quotient ratio was observed in all cases, except for C. elongata. Estimated daily intake of most minerals from the algae studied is lower than the corresponding recommended daily intake.