Calorie Calculator

Calculate your daily calorie needs (TDEE) based on age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. Get personalized targets for weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain — with a macro breakdown.

🔥 Calorie Calculator

TDEE & daily calorie needs

Daily Calorie Target

2,598

calories/day to maintain weight

1,598

LOSE 2 LBS/WK

2,598

MAINTAIN

3,098

GAIN 1 LB/WK

🔥 BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
1,676 cal
⚡ TDEE (Total Daily Energy)
2,598 cal
🎯 Target Calories
2,598 cal
📐 Formula Used
Mifflin-St Jeor

🍽️ Recommended Macros (per day)

Protein (30%)195g
Carbohydrates (40%)260g
Fat (30%)87g

📊 Calorie Goals Comparison

07001400210028003500Lose 2 lbs/wkLose 1 lb/wkMaintainGain 0.5 lb/wkGain 1 lb/wk

🍎 What Does Your Calorie Target Look Like?

27

Apples

16

Chicken breasts

33

Large eggs

25

Bananas

17

Side salads

32

Slices of bread

How to Calculate Your Daily Calorie Needs

Our calorie calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation — the formula recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the most accurate for the general population. It first estimates your BMR (calories burned at rest), then multiplies by an activity factor to get TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). For a complete body-composition picture, also try our BMI calculator, BMR calculator, and body fat calculator.

🧮 Mifflin-St Jeor Formula

For Men: BMR = 10×weight(kg) + 6.25×height(cm) − 5×age + 5For Women: BMR = 10×weight(kg) + 6.25×height(cm) − 5×age − 161Then: TDEE = BMR × Activity Factor

🏃 Activity Level Guide

  • Sedentary (×1.2): desk job, little or no exercise
  • Lightly Active (×1.375): light exercise 1-3 days/week
  • Moderately Active (×1.55): moderate exercise 3-5 days/week
  • Very Active (×1.725): hard exercise 6-7 days/week
  • Extra Active (×1.9): very hard exercise or physical job

Most people overestimate their activity level — when in doubt, go one level lower.

🎯 Calorie Targets for Goals

  • Lose 2 lbs/week: TDEE − 1,000 calories
  • Lose 1 lb/week: TDEE − 500 calories
  • Maintain weight: TDEE (no deficit)
  • Gain 0.5 lb/week: TDEE + 250 calories
  • Gain 1 lb/week: TDEE + 500 calories

⚠ Never go below 1,200 cal/day (women) or 1,500 cal/day (men) without medical supervision.

🥩 Recommended Macronutrient Ratios

  • Protein (25-35%): essential for muscle, satiety, metabolism — aim for 0.7-1g per lb of body weight
  • Carbohydrates (35-50%): primary energy source — focus on complex carbs like whole grains, vegetables, fruits
  • Fat (20-35%): essential for hormones and brain function — focus on healthy fats like avocado, nuts, olive oil

Use our BMI calculator alongside this to get a complete health picture.

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions