Daily Calorie Needs Calculator
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By Alexandra Reeves, RDReviewed by Dr. Marcus Webb, RD (Registered Dietitian)Published: Updated:
References
- [1]American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, Hill LA, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals., 1990. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2305711
- [2]Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Evidence Analysis Library: Energy Determination in Adults. https://www.andeal.org/topic.cfm?menu=5296&cat=5083
- [3]National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Body Weight Planner. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/bwp
How to Use?
- 1
Enter your weight
Type your current body weight into the weight field. Switch between kilograms (kg), pounds (lbs), or stone (st) using the unit dropdown.
- 2
Enter your height
Type your height into the height field. Switch between centimetres (cm), inches (in), or feet (ft) using the unit dropdown. Stand straight and measure without shoes.
- 3
Enter your age and select your gender
Type your age in years and select male or female from the gender dropdown. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation uses these values to estimate your BMR.
- 4
Select your activity level
Choose the activity level that best matches your typical weekly exercise pattern. Be honest — overestimating your activity level inflates your TDEE and can sabotage weight loss. If unsure, choose the lower option and adjust later.
- 5
Review your seven calorie targets
The calculator shows seven targets: maintenance, moderate loss (−500 kcal), moderate gain (+500 kcal), slow loss (−250 kcal), slow gain (+250 kcal), fast loss (−750 kcal), and fast gain (+750 kcal). Choose the target that matches your goal.
- 6
Track, adjust, and recalculate
Weigh yourself weekly under consistent conditions. After two to four weeks, adjust your target by 100–200 kcal if needed. Recalculate every 5 kg of weight change, as your TDEE decreases with weight loss.
Worked Examples
1Moderately active male (70 kg, 175 cm, 30 years)
Given Values
weight:70
height:175
ageYears:30
gender:male
activityLevel:moderate
Results
tdee:2556
lose500:2056
gain500:3056
lose250:2306
gain250:2806
lose750:1806
gain750:3306
2Sedentary female (60 kg, 165 cm, 25 years)
Given Values
weight:60
height:165
ageYears:25
gender:female
activityLevel:sedentary
Results
tdee:1614
lose500:1114
gain500:2114
lose250:1364
gain250:1864
lose750:864
gain750:2364
3Active male for weight loss (90 kg, 180 cm, 40 years)
Given Values
weight:90
height:180
ageYears:40
gender:male
activityLevel:active
Results
tdee:3157
lose500:2657
gain500:3657
lose250:2907
gain250:3407
lose750:2407
gain750:3907
4Lightly active female for maintenance (75 kg, 170 cm, 35 years)
Given Values
weight:75
height:170
ageYears:35
gender:female
activityLevel:light
Results
tdee:2030
lose500:1530
gain500:2530
lose250:1780
gain250:2280
lose750:1280
gain750:2780
5Moderately active older male (80 kg, 175 cm, 55 years)
Given Values
weight:80
height:175
ageYears:55
gender:male
activityLevel:moderate
Results
tdee:2517
lose500:2017
gain500:3017
lose250:2267
gain250:2767
lose750:1767
gain750:3267
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Frequently Asked Questions
Your daily calorie needs, also known as your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), represent the total number of calories your body requires each day to maintain its current weight. They are calculated by first estimating your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation — which uses your weight, height, age, and sex — then multiplying that value by an activity factor between 1.2 (sedentary) and 1.9 (very active) that reflects your typical exercise habits. The result is your maintenance calorie target. Subtracting 250 to 500 kcal gives you a weight loss target, and adding the same gives you a weight gain target.
The BMR Calculator on this site focuses on your basal metabolic rate in detail, showing your BMR, TDEE, and BMR per kilogram of body weight. It also includes a comparison table of different BMR formulas and a detailed breakdown of activity levels. This Daily Calorie Needs Calculator is designed for quick action: you enter your data and immediately get seven actionable calorie targets (maintenance, moderate loss, moderate gain, slow loss, slow gain, fast loss, fast gain) without needing to know your BMR or decide on a specific deficit upfront. Use the BMR Calculator for the science behind the number, and use this calculator when you want the numbers fast.
The Calorie Deficit Calculator focuses on weight loss timelines: you enter your current weight, target weight, and daily deficit, and it tells you how many days, weeks, and months it will take to reach your goal. It also has an advanced mode that accepts your BMR and TDEE for personalised daily calorie targets. This Daily Calorie Needs Calculator does not require a target weight or a deficit amount. It simply shows you five calorie targets based on your current metrics and activity level, so you can choose the approach that fits your goal. Use the two calculators together: get your targets here, then use the Calorie Deficit Calculator to plan your timeline.
Select the activity level that best matches your average week, not your best week. If you have a desk job and exercise one to three times per week for 30 minutes, select Light. If you exercise three to five times per week at moderate to high intensity, select Moderate. If you exercise daily or have a physically active job, select Active or Very Active. A University of London study found that 75 percent of people overestimate their activity level when self-reporting. If you are unsure, choose the lower option. You can always adjust after two to four weeks based on your actual rate of weight change.
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation predicts resting energy expenditure within about 10 percent of measured values in roughly 70 percent of individuals. It is the most accurate predictive equation for the general adult population and is recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. However, predictive equations are population averages and cannot capture individual variation. For 30 percent of people, the estimate may differ from actual BMR by more than 10 percent due to differences in muscle mass, genetics, hormone levels, and other factors. Use the estimate as a starting point and adjust based on your actual weight trend over two to four weeks.
Yes, this calculator is ideal for planning a muscle gain phase. The moderate gain target (+500 kcal) provides a controlled surplus that supports muscle protein synthesis and recovery from training. The slow gain target (+250 kcal) is better for a lean bulk that minimises fat gain. For best results, pair the surplus with a resistance training programme and a protein intake of 1.6 to 2.2 g per kg of body weight per day. Track your weight and strength gains weekly, and adjust calorie intake up or down by 100 to 200 kcal if you are gaining too fast or too slowly.
Yes, the moderate loss target (−500 kcal) is the standard recommendation for weight loss, producing roughly 0.5 kg of fat loss per week. The slow loss target (−250 kcal) is better if you have less than 10 kg to lose, are concerned about metabolic adaptation, or want to minimise hunger. For optimal fat loss while preserving muscle, combine the deficit with a high-protein diet (1.6 to 2.2 g per kg of body weight) and resistance training at least twice per week. Track your weight weekly and adjust the deficit if your actual rate of loss differs from the expected 0.2 to 0.6 kg per week.
Yes, and this is critical for continued progress. As you lose weight, your TDEE decreases because you have less body mass to sustain. Each 5 kg of weight loss reduces your TDEE by roughly 35 to 50 kcal per day. If you keep eating the same number of calories, your deficit shrinks gradually and weight loss slows. Recalculate your calorie needs every time your weight changes by more than 5 kg. Either reduce your intake slightly or increase your activity to restore the deficit. This calculator is designed for iterative use — return to it at each weight milestone.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase calorie needs significantly. During the second and third trimesters, an additional 340 to 450 kcal per day is typically recommended. Breastfeeding requires an additional 330 to 500 kcal per day depending on milk production volume. The Mifflin-St Jeor equation does not account for these additional demands. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use the maintenance target from this calculator as a starting point and work with their healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to determine the appropriate calorie increase for their specific situation.
Athletes can use this calculator as a starting point, but their actual calorie needs often exceed what standard activity multipliers predict. An endurance athlete training 15 to 20 hours per week may have a TDEE that is 20 to 30 percent higher than the very active multiplier (1.9) predicts. Athletes should use the calculator to get a baseline estimate, then track their weight and performance for one to two weeks to determine whether they need to increase intake. If weight is dropping while performance is declining, increase calories by 200 to 400 kcal per day and reassess. For highly trained athletes, the Katch-McArdle equation, which uses body fat percentage, may provide a more accurate BMR estimate.
NEAT stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which includes all the calories you burn through movement that is not deliberate exercise: walking to your car, standing at your desk, fidgeting, household chores, and maintaining posture. NEAT is the most variable component of TDEE, ranging from 200 to 2,000 kcal per day between sedentary and highly active individuals. A person with high NEAT can eat significantly more calories without gaining weight than someone with low NEAT, even if their formal exercise habits are similar. Increasing NEAT through habits like standing more, walking while on the phone, and taking the stairs is an effective way to increase your TDEE without formal exercise.
Poor sleep reduces your TDEE by decreasing your BMR and altering hormone levels that regulate appetite and energy expenditure. Sleep deprivation reduces leptin (satiety hormone) by 18 percent and increases ghrelin (hunger hormone) by 28 percent, making it harder to maintain a calorie target. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that dieters who slept 8.5 hours lost 55 percent more fat than those who slept 5.5 hours, even though both groups followed the same calorie deficit. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night. If you are consistently sleeping fewer than 7 hours, your actual TDEE may be 5 to 10 percent lower than the equation predicts.
Consistency helps with adherence, but your body does not require exactly the same calories every day. A more flexible approach is to aim for a weekly calorie target rather than a rigid daily number. If your daily target is 2,000 kcal for weight loss, your weekly target is 14,000 kcal. You can eat 1,800 kcal on some days and 2,200 on others and still hit the weekly average. This flexibility makes social events, weekend meals, and higher training days easier to manage without feeling restricted. The key is to track honestly and ensure your weekly average stays on target.
Recalculate your calorie needs every time your weight changes by more than 5 kg, your activity level changes significantly, or every three to six months during a structured weight loss or muscle gain programme. As you lose weight, your TDEE decreases, and your original calorie target will produce a smaller deficit than intended. Similarly, as you gain muscle, your BMR increases, and your original surplus target may not be enough to continue making progress. Regular recalibration keeps your targets accurate and your progress on track. Bookmark this page so you can return to it easily.
This calculator is designed for general informational and educational purposes. If you have a medical condition that affects your metabolism or nutritional needs — such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, or a history of eating disorders — consult a healthcare provider before making dietary changes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, and individuals taking medications that affect appetite or metabolism should also seek professional guidance. This calculator does not replace individualised advice from a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian.
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