Adaptive TDEE Calculator

Calculate your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) and get personalized calorie recommendations based on your goals and activity level.

Enter your age in years
Enter your height in centimeters (cm)
Enter your weight in kilograms (kg)
Enter your body fat percentage for more accurate results (leave empty to use standard formula)
Adjust how quickly you want to reach your goal (0.1-1.5 kg/week)

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your personal information: age, gender, height, and weight
  2. Select your activity level from the dropdown menu
  3. Optionally, enter your body fat percentage for more accurate results
  4. Choose your goal: lose weight, maintain weight, or gain weight
  5. Adjust the goal rate slider to set how quickly you want to reach your goal
  6. Click Calculate to see your personalized TDEE and calorie recommendations

Formula Used

BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age) + s

TDEE = BMR × Activity Factor

Target Calories = TDEE ± (Goal Rate × 7700)

Where:

  • BMR = Basal Metabolic Rate (calories burned at rest)
  • s = +5 for males, -161 for females
  • Activity Factor = 1.2 (sedentary) to 1.9 (extremely active)
  • Goal Rate = Desired weekly weight change in kg
  • 7700 = Approximate calories in 1 kg of body fat

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

Sarah is a 30-year-old female who wants to lose weight. She is 165 cm tall, weighs 70 kg, and works a desk job with light exercise 3 days per week.

Given:

  • Age = 30 years
  • Gender = Female
  • Height = 165 cm
  • Weight = 70 kg
  • Activity Level = Lightly active (1.375)
  • Goal = Lose weight
  • Goal Rate = 0.5 kg per week

Calculation:

BMR = (10 × 70) + (6.25 × 165) - (5 × 30) - 161 = 1,425 calories

TDEE = 1,425 × 1.375 = 1,959 calories

Target Calories = 1,959 - (0.5 × 7700/7) = 1,409 calories

Result: Sarah should consume approximately 1,409 calories per day to lose 0.5 kg per week.

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

  • Weight management planning
  • Creating effective meal plans
  • Designing appropriate exercise programs
  • Achieving fitness goals efficiently
  • Preventing under or overeating

Key Benefits

  • Personalized to your body and lifestyle
  • Adaptable to changing goals
  • Helps maintain muscle while losing fat
  • Prevents extreme calorie restrictions
  • Sustainable approach to body composition

Common Mistakes & Tips

Many people overestimate their activity level. Be honest about your daily movement and exercise. If you have a desk job and only exercise 2-3 times a week, you're likely "Lightly Active" rather than "Moderately Active."

Losing or gaining more than 1 kg per week is generally not recommended and can be unhealthy. Extreme calorie deficits or surpluses can lead to muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, or excessive fat gain. Aim for gradual, sustainable changes.

Your TDEE changes as your weight and activity level change. Recalculate your TDEE every 4-6 weeks or after significant weight changes to ensure your calorie targets remain appropriate for your current body.

Frequently Asked Questions

TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is the total number of calories your body burns in a day, including your BMR (calories burned at rest) and calories burned through activity. Knowing your TDEE helps you determine how many calories to consume to reach your weight goals.

This calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which is considered one of the most accurate BMR formulas. However, individual metabolism can vary by up to 10-15% from these estimates. Use the results as a starting point and adjust based on your actual weight changes over time.

This depends on your goals. If you're trying to lose weight, you might not want to eat back all exercise calories. If you're trying to gain muscle or maintain weight, eating back some or all exercise calories can help. The TDEE calculation already accounts for your activity level, so additional exercise is extra movement beyond what's factored into your activity level selection.

References & Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates based on standard formulas and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have any health conditions.

References

Accuracy Notice

This calculator provides estimates based on population averages. Individual metabolism can vary significantly based on genetics, hormones, body composition, and other factors. The results should be used as a starting point and adjusted based on your actual results. For personalized advice, consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

Connect with LinkedIn

Tags:

health nutrition-diet-planning adaptive tdee medical fitness body weight