BMR Calculator
Basal metabolic rate — the calories you burn at complete rest.
Basal metabolic rate
1,649 kcal/day
Mifflin-St Jeor equation
Harris-Benedict estimate
1,696 kcal/day
Difference between formulas
47 kcal
Per hour at rest
68.7 kcal
BMR = (10 × 70.0) + (6.25 × 175.0) − (5 × 30) + 5
- BMR is what your body uses at complete rest. Total daily energy expenditure multiplies it by an activity factor.
- Estimates are typically within about 10% for most people but cannot account for body composition or medical conditions.
| Activity level | Factor | Daily calories |
|---|---|---|
| Sedentary (little or no exercise) | × 1.2 | 1,979 |
| Lightly active (1–3 days a week) | × 1.375 | 2,267 |
| Moderately active (3–5 days a week) | × 1.55 | 2,556 |
| Very active (6–7 days a week) | × 1.725 | 2,844 |
| Extra active (physical job or twice-daily training) | × 1.9 | 3,133 |
What does BMR Calculator do?
Calculate your basal metabolic rate using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, the formula dietitians consider most accurate for the general population. The Harris-Benedict result is shown alongside for comparison.
How to Use BMR Calculator
- 1Enter age and sexBoth change the equation’s constants.
- 2Enter height and weightIn metric or imperial — the tool converts internally.
- 3Read your BMRThen compare the activity-adjusted daily totals below it.
Key Features
- Mifflin-St Jeor equation, the current clinical default
- Harris-Benedict result shown for comparison
- Metric and imperial units
- Daily energy expenditure for five activity levels
- Explains what BMR does and does not tell you
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mifflin-St Jeor formula?
For men: (10 × kg) + (6.25 × cm) − (5 × age) + 5. For women: the same, minus 161 instead of plus 5. It replaced Harris-Benedict as the recommended equation because it is more accurate for modern populations.
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR is what you burn lying still all day. TDEE — total daily energy expenditure — multiplies BMR by an activity factor between 1.2 and 1.9 to account for movement, exercise and digestion. TDEE is the number that matters for diet planning.
How accurate is a BMR estimate?
Typically within about 10% for most people, but it cannot account for body composition, thyroid function or medication. Muscle burns more at rest than fat, so two people of the same height and weight can differ noticeably.
Should I eat only my BMR to lose weight?
No. Eating at or below BMR for a sustained period is generally not recommended and should only be done under medical supervision. Deficits are normally taken from TDEE, not BMR.
Explore Related Workflows & Utilities
More tools in Calculators and related problem-solving tools
Direct Workflow Extensions
Daily calorie needs for maintenance, loss and gain.
Body mass index in metric or imperial, with the healthy range.
Convert kilograms, pounds, ounces, stones and tonnes.
Convert kilograms to pounds and stones.
Convert centimetres to inches, with a fraction option.
Solve every common percentage question in one place.
Complementary Utilities across Categories
Topical Deep Dives & Guides
Popular Related Searches for BMR Calculator
Everything you enter here is processed on your own device. Nothing is uploaded to a server, so there is nothing for us to store or log.
Related Tools
Calorie Calculator
Daily calorie needs for maintenance, loss and gain.
BMI Calculator
Body mass index in metric or imperial, with the healthy range.
Weight Converter
Convert kilograms, pounds, ounces, stones and tonnes.
KG to Pounds Converter
Convert kilograms to pounds and stones.