Calorie Calculator
Estimate daily maintenance calories using the Mifflin-St Jeor resting-energy equation followed by a broad activity multiplier. The result is a mathematical estimate rather than a personalized nutrition prescription because actual energy requirements vary among individuals and can change with health status, body composition, training, pregnancy and other factors.
The ±250 figures are mathematical comparison examples only. They are not recommended calorie targets or individualized diet advice.
How to use the Calorie Calculator
- Choose metric or US customary units and select the sex-specific constant used by the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
- Enter adult age, height and weight.
- The calculator estimates resting energy expenditure with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
- Choose an activity level. The resting estimate is multiplied by the selected broad activity factor to produce an estimated maintenance calorie value.
- The weekly figure is the daily maintenance estimate multiplied by seven.
- The plus and minus 250 calorie values are displayed only as arithmetic comparisons around maintenance. They are not recommendations or individualized weight-management targets.
Examples
Maintenance calorie estimate
If a resting-energy estimate is 1,600 kcal/day and the selected activity multiplier is 1.55, estimated maintenance is approximately 2,480 kcal/day.
Changing activity assumptions
Keeping age, height and weight unchanged while selecting a higher activity factor increases the estimated daily energy expenditure.
Weekly energy equivalent
A mathematical daily estimate of 2,400 kcal corresponds to 16,800 kcal over seven days, although actual intake and expenditure naturally vary from day to day.
Frequently asked questions
How does the calorie calculator estimate maintenance calories?
It first estimates resting energy using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, then multiplies that estimate by the selected activity factor.
What are maintenance calories?
Maintenance calories are an estimate of daily energy intake that would match daily energy expenditure under the assumptions entered. Real requirements may differ.
Is the calorie result exact?
No. Predictive equations estimate average energy requirements from population data. Metabolism, body composition, health, activity and measurement error can make individual requirements different.
Is this a weight-loss prescription?
No. The calculator provides educational estimates and arithmetic comparisons. It does not prescribe a diet or determine an appropriate calorie deficit for an individual.
What equation is used?
The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor resting-energy equation and then applies a selected activity multiplier.
Can people under 18 use this calculator?
This calculator is designed for adults and does not calculate pediatric energy requirements.
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