Resting and daily calorie estimates


            
                Estimate your calorie needs
                Estimate the energy your body uses at rest and over a typical day.
            
                        For generally healthy adults ages 20–78. Not for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or clinical nutrition planning.
            
                
                    
                        
                        
                    
                                        
                    Height · ft
Height · in
Weight · lb
                    
                    
                    Height · cm
Weight · kg
                    
                    
                        Age · years
                        Sex used by the equation
                        Typical activity across the whole day
                    
                    
                
                
                    Your result
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                    Enter your measurements to see your results.
                    

                    
                                    
            
            How this works
                            The Mifflin–St Jeor equation estimates resting energy in kcal/day: 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) − 5 × age, then +5 for the male equation or −161 for the female equation. These are the two sex-specific equations in the original study.
                Daily maintenance is the resting estimate multiplied by your selected activity factor. These factors are broad modeling assumptions, not part of the original resting-energy equation or a validated personal activity measurement. Consider both work and leisure activity. Resting energy is rounded to 10 kcal and daily maintenance to 50 kcal; actual needs may differ substantially.
                For generally healthy adults ages 20–78. Not for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or individualized clinical nutrition. Resting energy is not a daily intake target. No weight-loss deficit or timeline is prescribed.
                Mifflin–St Jeor study · NIDDK activity-level context
                        
            Your entries stay on this page. This tool does not send or save your measurements.

This calculator provides two estimates: the energy your body uses at rest and the energy it may use across a typical day. It uses the Mifflin–St Jeor equation to estimate resting energy from height, weight, age, and the selected sex-specific equation.

Start by choosing US or metric units and entering your measurements and age. Select the appropriate equation, then choose the activity description that best reflects your usual day. Consider time spent sitting, standing, walking, doing physical work, and exercising.

The results show:

Estimated energy at rest: Energy used to support functions such as breathing and circulation while resting.
Estimated daily maintenance: An approximation of total daily energy use after applying your selected activity factor.

The maintenance estimate is a starting point for understanding your energy needs. Activity descriptions are broad, and the calculator cannot measure your individual metabolism. Choosing a higher activity level increases the estimate, so use a description that reflects your normal routine.

Results are rounded to avoid suggesting more precision than the calculation can provide. Resting energy is rounded to the nearest 10 calories, and daily maintenance to the nearest 50. The resting figure should not be treated as your daily food target.

This tool supports generally healthy adults aged 20–78. It does not calculate pregnancy or breastfeeding requirements, prescribe a calorie deficit, or predict when you will reach a particular weight. A registered dietitian or clinician can help interpret the estimate when developing an individual nutrition plan.