Calorie Calculator Formula
Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is one of the most commonly used formulas for estimating Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and daily calorie requirements.
For Men
For Women
This equation estimates the number of calories the body burns at rest and serves as the foundation for daily calorie calculations.
Harris-Benedict Formula
The Harris-Benedict formula is another method used to estimate Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).
For Men
For Women
The Harris-Benedict formula helps estimate the number of calories required to maintain basic body functions while at rest.
Activity Level Multipliers
After calculating BMR, activity multipliers are applied to estimate Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE).
Activity Level | Multiplier |
|---|
Sedentary | 1.2 |
Light Activity | 1.375 |
Moderate Exercise | 1.55 |
Intense Exercise | 1.725 |
Very Intense Exercise | 1.9 |
The TDEE formula is:
Calorie Deficit and Surplus Formula
A calorie deficit is used for weight loss, while a calorie surplus is used for weight gain.
Weight Loss Calories
Weight Gain Calories
These formulas help determine daily calorie targets based on individual fitness goals.
Example for Weight Loss
Sarah is a 30-year-old woman with a weight of 70 kg and height of 165 cm. With moderate exercise, her maintenance calories are about 2,100 per day. To lose weight safely, she can reduce intake to around 1,600–1,700 calories daily.
Example for Maintenance
Ali is a 25-year-old man weighing 75 kg with regular physical activity. His body needs nearly 2,500 calories per day to maintain weight and support daily energy needs.
Example for Weight Gain
Emma is a 28-year-old woman whose daily calorie needs are around 2,000 calories. To gain weight in a healthy way, she may increase intake to about 2,300–2,500 calories per day.
Example for Muscle Gain
Daniel is a 22-year-old man who performs intense exercise 5 times a week. His body may require around 3,000 calories daily along with high protein intake to support muscle gain and recovery.
Daily Calorie Intake by Goal
Set a calorie goal based on your desired outcome. To lose weight, create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. To gain weight, eat more calories than your body needs. For weight maintenance, match your daily calorie intake with your energy expenditure.
Calories in Common Foods
Vegetable | Calories/Gram | Fruit | Calories/Gram | Dry Fruit | Calories/Gram |
|---|
Cucumber | 0.15 cal | Watermelon | 0.30 cal | Dried Apricots | 2.41 cal |
Lettuce | 0.15 cal | Strawberry | 0.32 cal | Dates | 2.82 cal |
Tomato | 0.18 cal | Peach | 0.39 cal | Raisins | 2.99 cal |
Spinach | 0.23 cal | Orange | 0.47 cal | Cashews | 5.53 cal |
Broccoli | 0.34 cal | Apple | 0.52 cal | Pistachios | 5.62 cal |
Carrot | 0.41 cal | Pear | 0.57 cal | Almonds | 5.79 cal |
Potato | 0.77 cal | Grapes | 0.69 cal | Walnuts | 6.54 cal |
Sweet Potato | 0.86 cal | Banana | 0.89 cal | Pecans | 6.91 cal |
Protein, Carbs, and Fat Calories
Nutrient | Calories per Gram |
|---|
Protein | 4 Calories |
Carbohydrates | 4 Calories |
Fat | 9 Calories |
Daily Calorie Goals
Goal | Recommended Intake |
|---|
Weight Loss | 250–500 calories below maintenance |
Weight Maintenance | Equal to maintenance calories |
Weight Gain | 250–500 calories above maintenance |