Calorie & TDEE Calculator — FAQ

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Frequently asked questions

Which formula does this use for BMR?

Mifflin-St Jeor — the formula most major dietitian and sports-nutrition bodies recommend for healthy adults because it tracks measured resting metabolic rate more closely than the older Harris-Benedict equation. For men: BMR = 10 × weight(kg) + 6.25 × height(cm) − 5 × age + 5. For women: same with −161 instead of +5. TDEE is BMR multiplied by an activity factor.

What activity multiplier should I pick?

Sedentary (×1.2) is a desk job with no structured exercise. Lightly active (×1.375) is 1–3 light sessions a week or lots of walking. Moderately active (×1.55) is 3–5 moderate sessions a week. Very active (×1.725) is 6–7 hard sessions a week or a physical job. Extra active (×1.9) is twice-a-day training or heavy manual labor. Most people overestimate by a level — when in doubt, pick one lower for a fortnight and adjust based on the scale.

How are the protein, carbs, and fat targets calculated?

Protein is set per kilogram of bodyweight: 2.2 g/kg on a cut to spare muscle, 1.8 g/kg on maintenance, 1.8 g/kg on a lean bulk. Fat is set as a percentage of total kcal: 25% on a cut, 30% on maintenance, 25% on a bulk. Carbohydrate fills the remaining calories. 1 g protein and 1 g carbohydrate = 4 kcal, 1 g fat = 9 kcal — the per-day grams are derived from the goal-adjusted kcal target.

What do the goal options actually change?

Each goal shifts your TDEE up or down by a fixed daily deficit or surplus: −500 kcal/day for a 1 lb/week cut, −250 kcal/day for a 0.5 lb/week cut, 0 for maintenance, +250 kcal/day for a 0.5 lb/week lean bulk, +500 kcal/day for a 1 lb/week bulk. The 3,500 kcal-per-pound rule of thumb is an approximation — real-world rate of loss or gain varies with adherence, water weight, and metabolic adaptation, so re-check progress every 2–4 weeks.

How often should I recalculate?

Every 4–6 weeks, or any time your weight changes by 5 kg or more. As your body composition changes, your BMR changes with it — the formula's inputs shift, so the output should too. Most people on a cut hit a plateau not because their body has stopped responding but because they haven't updated their target as they've lost weight.

Does the metric/imperial toggle change the math?

No — only the input units. Internally everything is converted to kilograms and centimetres before BMR runs, so switching from lb/in to kg/cm and back gives the same result (to within the rounding of a single decimal place). The toggle is a display preference; the numbers underneath are identical.

Are my inputs stored or shared?

No. Age, sex, height, weight, activity level, and goal stay in your browser. There is no signup, no profile, no server-side storage. The inputs are encoded into the URL hash (the part after #) so you can bookmark or share the page and reopen the exact same result — that hash never leaves your device unless you copy and send the link yourself.

Is this medical or clinical advice?

No. The numbers are population-average estimates suitable for general fitness and weight management. They are not a substitute for advice from a registered dietitian or doctor — particularly if you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are under 18, or are recovering from an eating disorder. Consult a qualified professional before making large changes to your diet.