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Calorie Needs By Activity Level Calculator

Work out calorie needs by activity level instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Calorie Needs By Activity Level Calculator

Multiplies basal metabolic rate by the physical activity level factor to give total daily energy expenditure.

Formula

Activity factors

TDEE = BMR x physical activity level, with 1.2 sedentary, 1.375 lightly active, 1.55 moderately active, 1.725 very active and 1.9 extremely active

Worked example

With the default values below, Calorie Needs By Activity Level Calculator returns Total daily energy expenditure of 2,480.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Basal metabolic rateaccepts 600–4,000 kcal/day
1,600 kcal/day
Activity levelone of Sedentary (1.2), Lightly active (1.375), Moderately active (1.55), Very active (1.725), Extremely active (1.9)
Moderately active (1.55)

Results

Total daily energy expenditure
2,480.0 kcal/day
Physical activity level applied
1.550
Energy above basal
880.0 kcal/day
Weekly energy requirement
17,360 kcal

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Activity factors
  3. 3Total daily energy expenditure= 2,480.0 kcal/day
  4. 4Physical activity level applied= 1.550
  5. 5Energy above basal= 880.0 kcal/day
  6. 6Weekly energy requirement= 17,360 kcal

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which factor should most people use?

Most desk-based adults with two or three workouts a week fall between 1.375 and 1.55.

What does the factor include?

All activity thermogenesis plus the thermic effect of food, which alone accounts for about 10% of intake.

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