Calorie calculator

A man aged 30 who is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighs 70 kg (154 lb) uses about 2,755 kcal a day at the low active level. His basal metabolic rate (BMR) is about 1,676 kcal a day. The equations are from the National Academies (2023) and FAO/WHO/UNU (2004).

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Sex
years
Units
ft
in
lb
Activity level

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Result

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How it is calculated

  1. Calories used per day (TDEE) are calculated with the adult equations in Table 5-16 of Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (National Academies, 2023). For adults whose weight is stable, the estimated energy requirement (EER) equals the calories used per day.
  2. Activity levels follow the ranges in Table 5-4 of the same report (PAL = calories used per day ÷ basal metabolism): Inactive PAL 1.00 to under 1.53; Low active PAL 1.53 to under 1.68; Active PAL 1.68 to under 1.85; Very active PAL 1.85 to under 2.50.
  3. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) uses the Schofield equations adopted in Table 5.2 of Human energy requirements (FAO/WHO/UNU, 2004), from weight and age group only. The National Academies report also used these equations where BMR was not measured.
  4. Calories per day and BMR are estimated with separate equations from the two sources. Calories per day are not BMR multiplied by an activity factor.
  5. When feet, inches and pounds are used, 1 inch = 2.54 cm and 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. 1 kcal = 4.184 kJ. Results are rounded to whole numbers.
  6. The equations apply to adults aged 19 and over who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. They are estimates from population data, and your actual needs may be higher or lower. This tool does not give weight-loss or diet advice and does not replace an assessment by a doctor or dietitian.
  7. All calculations are done in your browser. The details you enter are not sent to any server.

Equations for calories used per day (kcal/day)

Men

Activity levelEquation
Inactive753.07 − 10.83 × age + 6.50 × height + 14.10 × weight
Low active581.47 − 10.83 × age + 8.30 × height + 14.94 × weight
Active1,004.82 − 10.83 × age + 6.52 × height + 15.91 × weight
Very active−517.88 − 10.83 × age + 15.61 × height + 19.11 × weight

Women

Activity levelEquation
Inactive584.90 − 7.01 × age + 5.72 × height + 11.71 × weight
Low active575.77 − 7.01 × age + 6.60 × height + 12.14 × weight
Active710.25 − 7.01 × age + 6.54 × height + 12.34 × weight
Very active511.83 − 7.01 × age + 9.07 × height + 12.56 × weight

National Academies (2023), Table 5-16, for ages 19 and over. Age is in years, height in cm and weight in kg.

Equations for basal metabolic rate (kcal/day)

AgeMenWomen
18 to under 3015.057 × weight + 692.214.818 × weight + 486.6
30 to under 6011.472 × weight + 873.18.126 × weight + 845.6
60 and over11.711 × weight + 587.79.082 × weight + 658.5

FAO/WHO/UNU (2004), Table 5.2 (Schofield equations). Weight is in kg.

Worked examples

Man aged 30, low active

Details
Male, 30 years; height 175 cm, weight 70 kg; low active
Result
2,755 kcal a day; BMR 1,676 kcal a day

Woman aged 25, inactive

Details
Female, 25 years; height 160 cm, weight 55 kg; inactive
Result
1,969 kcal a day; BMR 1,302 kcal a day

Woman aged 45, active

Details
Female, 45 years; height 165 cm, weight 68 kg; active
Result
2,313 kcal a day; BMR 1,398 kcal a day

Man aged 65, inactive

Details
Male, 65 years; height 170 cm, weight 75 kg; inactive
Result
2,212 kcal a day; BMR 1,466 kcal a day

Man aged 40, active (feet and pounds)

Details
Male, 40 years; height 5 ft 10 in, weight 180 lb; active
Result
3,030 kcal a day; BMR 1,810 kcal a day

Official sources

Applies to: Current (National Academies, Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, 2023; FAO/WHO/UNU, Human energy requirements, 2004).

  1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy (2023), Chapter 5, Tables 5-4 and 5-16
  2. FAO, WHO and UNU: Human energy requirements (2004), Chapter 5, Table 5.2
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

Last reviewed on October 31, 2026.

The rules on this page have been checked against the official sources listed above. The result is for reference. The rules and assessment of the concerned authority shall prevail.