BMR Calculator
Your BMR
-- kcal/day
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
BMR Calculator Guide & FAQ
The BMR Calculator helps you calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the number of calories your body needs to perform basic life-sustaining functions.
How to Use the BMR Calculator
- Select your unit system (Metric or Imperial).
- Input your gender, age, height, and weight.
- Click 'Calculate' to see your BMR.
Understanding the Input Fields
- Gender: BMR varies between men and women due to body composition differences.
- Age: Metabolism generally slows down as you age.
- Height: Taller individuals typically have a higher BMR.
- Weight: Heavier individuals typically have a higher BMR.
What is Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)?
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions, such as breathing, circulation, and cell production, while at rest. See Wikipedia for more.
How to Calculate BMR: The Formulas
This calculator uses the globally recognized Mifflin-St Jeor Equation, currently considered the most accurate standard for predicting BMR:
Women: BMR = (10 × weight kg) + (6.25 × height cm) - (5 × age) - 161
What is TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)?
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is the total number of calories your body burns in a day. It includes your BMR (resting calories) plus all energy expended through physical activities, work, exercise, and digesting food.
BMR vs. TDEE: What is the Difference?
BMR is the absolute minimum energy required to keep you alive at complete rest, while TDEE is the total energy you actually burn in a day, which includes your BMR. For healthy weight loss, you should consume fewer calories than your TDEE to create a deficit, but it is generally recommended never to eat below your BMR to avoid slowing down your metabolism.
Relationship between Activity Level and TDEE
| Activity Level | Calculation |
|---|---|
| Sedentary (little or no exercise) | BMR × 1.2 |
| Lightly active (exercise 1-3 days/week) | BMR × 1.375 |
| Moderately active (exercise 3-5 days/week) | BMR × 1.55 |
| Very active (exercise 6-7 days/week) | BMR × 1.725 |
| Super active (physical job/training) | BMR × 1.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does muscle mass affect BMR?
Yes, muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue. Therefore, individuals with higher muscle mass typically have a higher BMR compared to those with more body fat at the same weight.
Why does BMR decrease with age?
As you age, you naturally lose muscle mass and hormonal activity slows down, which causes your metabolic rate to decrease.