Calories Burned Calculator

Julia Green August 07, 2020

Basal metabolic rate (BSMR) is the total amount of calories your body needs to perform basic, life-supporting functions. The app can help you calculate your basic metabolic rate using a mathematical formula based on Harris-Benedict Equation:

Men: BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) - (5.677 x age in years)

Women: BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) - (4.330 x age in years)

After calculating your BMR, the app adjusts your daily calorie needs based on your activity level to determine your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)—the total number of calories your body burns each day.

The app multiplies your BMR by an Activity Factor that reflects your lifestyle:

Sedentary (little to no exercise): BMR × 1.2

Light activity (light exercise 1-3 days per week): BMR × 1.375

Moderate activity (moderate exercise 3-5 days per week): BMR × 1.55

Active (intense exercise 6-7 days per week): BMR × 1.725

Very active (hard physical labor or twice-a-day intense training): BMR × 1.9

By selecting the appropriate activity level, the app calculates how many calories you need per day to maintain your current weight. To lose weight, a calorie deficit (consuming fewer calories than TDEE) is required, while to gain weight, a calorie surplus (consuming more calories than TDEE) is necessary.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not cover specific circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or assistance, and should not be relied upon in making any decisions. Highly recommend that you consult your doctor before starting any diet. Any action you take regarding the information provided in this article is entirely at your own risk and responsibility!

SOURCES:

  1. Human energy requirements: Energy Requirement of Adults (2018, fao.org)
  2. Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics (2018, mayoclinic.org)
  3. A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals (1990, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. (2019, health.gov)
  5. 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report (2018, health.gov)
  6. Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights (2004, health.harvard.edu)
  7. Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT): a component of total daily energy expenditure (2018, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. Metabolism and weight loss: How you burn calories (2017, mayoclinic.org)
  9. Measuring Energy Expenditure in Clinical Populations: Rewards and Challenges (2013, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. Which is better for weight loss — cutting calories or increasing exercise (2020, mayoclinic.org)
  11. Physical Activity and Controlling Weight (k-state.edu)