Calorie Calculator
Estimate your daily calorie needs based on your body measurements and typical activity level.
Calculate your daily calories
Enter your details and choose metric for centimetres and kilograms, or imperial for inches and pounds.
Enter your details to see your estimated daily calorie needs.
Understanding Daily Calorie Needs
Calories are units of energy from food and drinks. Your daily calorie needs depend on your resting metabolism, movement, exercise, digestion, body size, age and other personal factors. This calculator provides an estimate of the calories you may need to maintain your current weight.
How the calculation works
The calculator estimates basal metabolic rate using the Mifflin–St Jeor equation, then multiplies that result by an activity factor. This gives an estimated total daily energy expenditure, or TDEE. Actual needs can vary, so use the result as a starting point rather than an exact prescription.
Activity Levels
- Sedentary: little exercise and mostly sitting during the day.
- Lightly active: light exercise or sports one to three days each week.
- Moderately active: moderate exercise or sports three to five days each week.
- Very active: hard exercise most days of the week.
- Extra active: very hard training, a physical job or both.
Calorie Goals
For weight maintenance, a person may begin with the estimated daily maintenance calories. A gradual calorie reduction may support weight loss, while a gradual increase may support weight gain, but individual needs and health conditions differ. Focus on nutritious foods, adequate protein, hydration and sustainable habits, and seek professional guidance for a personalised plan.
Related Health Calculators
Use our BMI Calculator to compare weight with height, or visit the BMR Calculator to estimate calories burned at rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the results exact?
No. Formula-based results are estimates. Your actual energy needs can change with body composition, hormones, health, sleep and daily movement.
What is the difference between BMR and daily calorie needs?
BMR is the energy your body uses at rest. Daily calorie needs are usually higher because they include activity, exercise and digestion.
Should I eat exactly the number shown?
Use the result as a starting estimate and observe how your weight, energy and wellbeing respond over time. A healthcare professional or registered dietitian can provide personalised advice.
Why do metric and imperial results differ?
The measurements are converted into the same underlying units before calculation, so equivalent height and weight should produce similar estimates.