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Daily Calorie Needs Calculator

How many calories do I need?

Enter your measurements and activity level and see an estimate of the calories you need each day.

One Click Answers · Daily Calorie Needs Calculator
oneclickanswers.com/daily-calorie-needs-calculator · Printed
About this tool & how to use it

What it does

Estimate the calories you need each day from your age, height, weight, sex-based formula constant and activity level, with the working shown and activity levels compared.

How to use it

  1. Choose US or metric units and enter your age, height and weight.
  2. Choose the sex constant the formula uses and your usual activity level. A general goal is optional.
  3. Read the estimated daily calories.
  4. Press "Get a detailed answer" for the full working: tables, charts and what-if comparisons.

The formula has a different constant for each. It is an average of many people, not a statement about you.

Adults 18 and older. These formulas were not built for children and teens.

Only changes the general reference figure in the detailed answer.

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Assumptions

  • The equation was built from groups of healthy adults and is an average, not a measurement of you. For an individual it can be off by a few hundred calories.
  • Adults 18 and older only. It is not for children, teens, pregnancy or medical conditions.
  • It never shows a figure below your BMR and gives no medical advice. A doctor or registered dietitian can set a target that fits your health.
  • Everything you enter is worked out in your browser and is never sent anywhere.

Printed from oneclickanswers.com. Results are estimates based on what was entered; see the assumptions above.

How it works

The estimate starts with your basal metabolic rate (BMR) from the Mifflin-St Jeor equation: 10 x weight in kilograms + 6.25 x height in centimeters - 5 x age, then +5 for the male formula or -161 for the female formula.

BMR is then multiplied by an activity factor from 1.2 (sedentary) to 1.9 (extra active) to estimate your total daily energy expenditure.

The detailed answer shows every activity level side by side and reruns the same calculation for a different weight, age or activity.

Formulas and details
  • BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor) = 10 x kg + 6.25 x cm - 5 x age + 5 (male formula) or - 161 (female formula).
  • Daily calories = BMR x activity factor (1.2, 1.375, 1.55, 1.725 or 1.9).

Assumptions

  • The equation was built from groups of healthy adults and is an average, not a measurement of you. For an individual it can be off by a few hundred calories.
  • Adults 18 and older only. It is not for children, teens, pregnancy or medical conditions.
  • It never shows a figure below your BMR and gives no medical advice. A doctor or registered dietitian can set a target that fits your health.
  • Everything you enter is worked out in your browser and is never sent anywhere.

Example

Input: A 35-year-old, 5 ft 6 in, 160 lb, formula constant for women, lightly active

Result: You need about 1,977 calories a day to maintain your weight: a BMR of 1,437 calories times 1.375.

Questions

What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?

BMR is the energy your body uses at complete rest. TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) adds the energy for moving, exercise and digesting food. This page estimates TDEE as BMR times an activity factor.

Why does the formula ask for sex?

The equation has a different constant for each. It is an average across many people and says nothing else about you.

How accurate is it?

It is a reasonable starting estimate. Your real needs also depend on muscle, genetics, health, medicines and how active you really are.

Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Report an incorrect result

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