General estimate

Calorie Needs Calculator

Estimates maintenance energy needs; actual needs vary.

How this estimate is calculated

Mifflin–St Jeor resting energy multiplied by an activity factor.

How to use the result

Treat it as a starting point to compare against how you actually feel and what you actually eat. Estimates are most useful for spotting a large gap, not for chasing a precise number.

What this cannot tell you

This estimates maintenance, not a target. Appetite, weight trend over several weeks and how you feel are better guides than any single number.

Estimates, not measurements: this tool runs a population equation, so it describes a typical person with your inputs rather than measuring you. Where a number drives a decision about a diagnosed condition or medication, have a dietitian or clinician sanity-check it against your history.