Calorie & TDEE Calculator
Daily Calorie Requirements
MAINTENANCE
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Calories/Day
WEIGHT LOSS (0.5kg/wk)
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WEIGHT GAIN (0.5kg/wk)
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* Based on the Mifflin-St Jeor Formula
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How Many Calories Should I Eat? A Guide to Finding Your Number One of the most common questions in the world of health and fitness is: "How many calories should I eat daily?" While it may seem like there should be a simple, universal answer, the truth is that your ideal calorie intake is as unique as your fingerprint. It depends on your age, gender, weight, height, and how much you move every day.
To understand your calorie needs, you must first understand the concept of TDEE, or Total Daily Energy Expenditure.
Understanding Your TDEE Your TDEE is the total number of calories your body burns in a 24-hour period. It is composed of three main parts: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The energy used for basic functions like breathing and keeping your heart beating. Thermic Effect of Food: The energy used to digest and process the meals you eat. Physical Activity: This includes everything from a heavy workout at the gym to simply walking to your car or fidgeting at your desk. Our calorie calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation, currently the most accurate standard for estimating these needs. Once you have your TDEE result, you can adjust your intake based on your specific goals.
Calories for Weight Maintenance If your goal is to stay exactly where you are, you should aim to consume your maintenance calories. This is the "equilibrium" state where the energy you take in matches the energy you put out. Staying at maintenance is an excellent way to improve body composition (losing fat while gaining muscle) if you are also engaging in strength training.
Calories for Weight Maintenance If your goal is to stay exactly where you are, you should aim to consume your maintenance calories. This is the "equilibrium" state where the energy you take in matches the energy you put out. Staying at maintenance is an excellent way to improve body composition (losing fat while gaining muscle) if you are also engaging in strength training.
Calories for Weight Loss (The Deficit) To lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit. This means consuming fewer calories than your body burns, forcing it to use stored fat for energy
A generally recommended starting point for sustainable weight loss is a deficit of 500 calories per day. Mathematically, a 500-calorie daily deficit adds up to 3,500 calories per week, which is approximately the amount of energy stored in one pound of fat. This leads to a healthy weight loss rate of about 1 pound (0.5 kg) per week. Note: It is usually advised not to drop below your BMR or go under 1,200 calories (for women) or 1,500 calories (for men) without medical supervision.
Calories for Muscle Gain (The Surplus) If you want to build muscle and size, you need to provide your body with extra fuel, known as a calorie surplus. However, eating too much too fast can lead to excessive fat gain. A "lean bulk" usually involves eating 250 to 500 calories above your maintenance level. When combined with a high-protein diet and consistent weightlifting, this surplus provides the building blocks necessary for new muscle tissue.
Quality Matters as Much as Quantity While weight loss is largely a matter of "calories in vs. calories out," the source of those calories dictates how you feel and how your body looks. A diet of 2,000 calories from processed sugars will yield very different results than 2,000 calories from lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Summary The results from our calorie calculator are a powerful starting point. Use these numbers as a map, but listen to your body. If you feel lethargic, you may need more fuel; if you aren't seeing progress after a few weeks, you may need to adjust your activity level or intake. Consistency is the real key to success.