BMR Calculator — Basal Metabolic Rate
Find out how many calories your body burns at complete rest. Compare the three standard BMR formulas and see your total daily energy expenditure at every activity level.
BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor)
| Activity level | Calories per day (TDEE) |
|---|
How to use the BMR calculator
- Choose units and sex, then enter age, weight and height.
- Optionally add your body fat percentage to get the Katch-McArdle estimate, which accounts for lean mass.
- Find your activity level in the table to see your total daily calorie burn.
BMR vs TDEE
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy your body uses at complete rest to keep you alive: breathing, circulation, temperature and cell repair. It usually makes up 60–70% of the calories you burn each day.
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is considered the most accurate for most people and is the main result here. The revised Harris-Benedict equation tends to run slightly higher. Katch-McArdle uses lean body mass, so it suits lean or very muscular people when body fat percentage is known.
Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) multiplies BMR by an activity factor, from 1.2 for sedentary to 1.9 for very hard daily exercise. Eating about 500 calories below TDEE gives a typical loss of around a pound a week. This calculator gives general estimates for information only and is not medical advice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMR?
Many adult women have a BMR around 1,200–1,500 calories and men around 1,500–1,900, but it varies with size, age and muscle mass.
Which BMR formula is most accurate?
Mifflin-St Jeor is the most accurate for most adults; Katch-McArdle is better when you know your body fat percentage.
Can I raise my BMR?
Building muscle raises it slightly; BMR also falls with age and weight loss.
Should I eat my BMR?
No. Your daily needs are your TDEE, which is higher than BMR because it includes activity.