The number of calories an individual burns during physical activity is influenced by several factors, including body weight, the intensity and type of activity, and the duration of the exercise. This calculator provides an estimation based on common metabolic equivalents (METs) for various activities.
How it Works: The MET Formula
The calculation is based on the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) system. A MET value represents the ratio of the rate at which a person expends energy, relative to the mass of that person's body, during an activity. One MET is defined as the energy expenditure while sitting at rest.
The general formula used to estimate calorie expenditure is:
Calories Burned per Minute = (MET value * body weight in kg * 3.5) / 200
To get the total calories burned, this value is then multiplied by the duration of the activity in minutes.
Total Calories Burned = Calories Burned per Minute * Duration (minutes)
Common MET Values:
Running (Moderate Pace, ~8 mph): 8.3 METs
Walking (Brisk Pace, ~3.5 mph): 4.0 METs
Cycling (Moderate Pace, 10-12 mph): 6.0 METs
Swimming (Moderate Pace): 5.8 METs
Weightlifting (General): 3.0 METs
Yoga: 2.5 METs
These MET values are averages and can vary based on individual effort, environmental conditions, and specific variations of the activity.
Use Cases:
Fitness Tracking: Monitor your calorie expenditure during workouts to align with fitness goals.
Weight Management: Understand the caloric cost of different activities to help balance energy intake and expenditure for weight loss or gain.
Exercise Planning: Choose activities and durations that best suit your calorie-burning objectives.
Remember, this calculator provides an estimate. For precise measurements, consider using a heart rate monitor or consulting with a fitness professional.
function calculateCalories() {
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weight").value);
var activity = document.getElementById("activity").value;
var duration = parseFloat(document.getElementById("duration").value);
var metValues = {
running: 8.3,
walking: 4.0,
cycling: 6.0,
swimming: 5.8,
weightlifting: 3.0,
yoga: 2.5
};
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("result-value");
var resultUnitElement = document.getElementById("result-unit");
// Clear previous results
resultValueElement.textContent = "–";
resultUnitElement.textContent = "kcal";
// Input validation
if (isNaN(weight) || weight <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid weight in kilograms.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(duration) || duration <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid duration in minutes.");
return;
}
var met = metValues[activity];
if (met === undefined) {
alert("Selected activity not found. Please choose a valid activity.");
return;
}
// Calculation
// Calories Burned per Minute = (MET * weight_kg * 3.5) / 200
var caloriesPerMinute = (met * weight * 3.5) / 200;
// Total Calories Burned = Calories Burned per Minute * Duration
var totalCaloriesBurned = caloriesPerMinute * duration;
// Display result
resultValueElement.textContent = totalCaloriesBurned.toFixed(2);
}