Estimate the energy an adult may need to maintain their current weight. The result combines estimated resting energy with a broad activity multiplier. It is a starting estimate, not a prescribed daily intake.
Daily calorie calculator
Calculated in your browser. No calculator values are submitted.
The formula
We use the simplified Mifflin–St Jeor resting-energy equation: 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) − 5 × age (years), then add 5 for the male coefficient or subtract 161 for the female coefficient. These are the sex-specific coefficients in the published equation, not a comprehensive model of individual physiology.
The calculator multiplies that resting estimate by your selected activity factor: 1.2, 1.375, 1.55, 1.725 or 1.9. These broad activity assumptions are not measured energy expenditure. Results can vary substantially even among people with similar measurements.
Worked example
For a 30-year-old using the male coefficient at 70 kg and 175 cm, resting energy is approximately 1,649 kcal/day. With the 1.2 activity factor, estimated maintenance energy is about 1,980 kcal/day, rounded to the nearest ten.
Who should use another approach?
This tool is for adults, not children or teenagers, and is not intended for pregnancy, breastfeeding, an eating disorder or a medical nutrition plan. Illness, medication, body composition and training can change needs. A registered dietitian or clinician can help interpret personal requirements.
We do not automatically subtract calories to prescribe weight loss. For a different, more detailed adult planning tool, see the NIDDK Body Weight Planner and its eligibility guidance.
