Tools > Calorie Calculator

Calorie Calculator

Your daily calorie needs depend on your age, height, weight, and activity level. This calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation to estimate the number of calories you need to maintain your current weight (Total Daily Energy Expenditure).

From there, we calculate deficits for weight loss and surpluses for muscle gain.

Calculate Your Calories

Find your daily targets for maintenance, fat loss, and muscle gain.

years
ft
in

Maintenance Calories

--
calories / day
Fat Loss
--
-500 cal
Muscle Gain
--
+500 cal
The Science

Understanding Calories

What is a calorie surplus/deficit?
A calorie deficit means consuming fewer calories than you burn, which forces your body to use stored fat for energy (weight loss). A calorie surplus means consuming more calories than you burn, which provides the extra energy needed to build new muscle tissue (weight gain).
How fast should I lose/gain weight?
A safe and sustainable rate is 0.5 to 1% of your body weight per week. This usually equates to a 500-calorie daily deficit or surplus. Losing weight faster than this often results in muscle loss, while gaining faster often results in excessive fat gain.