Advanced Daily Calorie Calculator
Determine your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) based on your unique body metrics and activity level.
Your Daily Results
How to Use the Calorie Calculator for Weight Management
Understanding your daily caloric intake is the fundamental step in achieving your health and fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, maintain your current physique, or build muscle mass, the math starts with your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE).
The Science Behind the Calculation
Our calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation, which is widely considered the most accurate formula for estimating calorie needs in healthy adults. This formula calculates your BMR—the number of calories your body burns at rest just to keep vital organs functioning—and then multiplies it by your activity factor.
Defining Your Goals:
- Maintenance: These are the calories required to stay at your current weight.
- Weight Loss: This represents a 20% caloric deficit, allowing for sustainable fat loss without muscle wasting.
- Weight Gain: This represents a 20% caloric surplus, ideal for lean muscle building when paired with resistance training.
Example Scenario
Consider a 30-year-old male, weighing 85kg and standing 180cm tall, who exercises 3 times per week (Moderately Active):
- BMR calculation: Approximately 1,850 kcal.
- TDEE calculation: 1,850 x 1.55 = 2,867 kcal/day for maintenance.
- Weight Loss target: Approximately 2,294 kcal/day.
Key Factors That Influence Calorie Needs
While this calculator provides a highly accurate estimate, individual factors can shift your actual needs. Muscle mass increases metabolic rate because muscle is more metabolically "expensive" to maintain than fat. Additionally, age plays a role as metabolism naturally slows slightly over time due to hormonal changes and muscle loss.