Health & Fitness

Calorie Calculator

Calculate your daily calorie needs based on your goals

Last reviewed: How we build & verify
Recommended
Maintenance
Weight Loss
Weight Gain

How it works

Converts your maintenance calories into a target intake for losing, maintaining, or gaining weight. Weight change follows the energy balance between calories consumed and calories expended.

Formula
Target = TDEE + Surplus   |   Target = TDEE − Deficit
Variables
  • TDEEtotal daily energy expenditure (maintenance)
  • Deficitcalories below maintenance for fat loss
  • 7,700 kcalapproximate energy in 1 kg of body fat (3,500 per lb)
Worked example
Inputs: TDEE 2,759 kcal, goal to lose 0.5 kg/week
  1. Weekly deficit needed: 0.5 × 7700 = 3,850 kcal
  2. Daily deficit: 3850 / 7 = 550
  3. Target: 2759 − 550 = 2,209
Result: ≈ 2,209 kcal/day
Notes
  • Deficits beyond roughly 25% of TDEE tend to cost lean mass and are hard to sustain.
  • Metabolic adaptation reduces expenditure as you lose weight, so recalculate every 4-6 kg.

Most Searched Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Daily needs depend on age, sex, weight, height, and activity level. Most adult women need 1,600-2,400 kcal; adult men need 2,000-3,000 kcal. Our calculator computes your exact TDEE using the Mifflin-St Jeor formula.

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is calories burned at rest. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is BMR multiplied by an activity factor (1.2-1.9) to account for exercise and movement.

A deficit of 500 kcal/day produces about 1 lb/week of weight loss. Steeper deficits can slow metabolism and cause muscle loss. Combining moderate deficit with strength training preserves muscle.

Calorie Calculator | ExaCalc