Cycling Calories Burned Calculator
Calculate precisely how many calories you burned on your last ride.
Leisurely (under 10 mph / 16 km/h)
Light Effort (10-12 mph / 16-19 km/h)
Moderate Effort (12-14 mph / 19-22.5 km/h)
Vigorous Effort (14-16 mph / 22.5-25.7 km/h)
Racing / Very Fast (16-20 mph / 25.7-32 km/h)
Pro Level Racing (>20 mph / >32 km/h)
Mountain Biking (General)
Mountain Biking (Uphill/Technical)
Total Energy Expended:
0 kcal
How Your Cycling Calorie Burn is Calculated
This calculator utilizes the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method. MET is a physiological measure expressing the energy cost of physical activities. One MET is defined as the energy you expend while sitting at rest. When you cycle, your MET value increases based on the intensity and speed of your ride.
The Formula:
Calories Burned = MET × Body Weight (kg) × Duration (hours)
Factors That Influence Calorie Expenditure
- Body Weight: A heavier person requires more energy to move their mass against air resistance and gravity.
- Intensity (Speed): Air resistance increases exponentially with speed. Doubling your speed requires significantly more than double the energy.
- Terrain: Climbing hills burns significantly more calories than riding on flat surfaces due to the work done against gravity.
- Drafting: Riding behind another cyclist can reduce energy expenditure by up to 30%.
Realistic Examples
| Activity | Weight | Time | Est. Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuting (Light) | 70 kg | 30 min | ~200 kcal |
| Road Cycling (Moderate) | 80 kg | 60 min | ~640 kcal |
| MTB Trail Ride | 75 kg | 90 min | ~956 kcal |