What is calculated
Estimated maintenance energy for an ordinary day, plus the underlying resting-energy result.
TDEE Calculator
Estimated total daily energy expenditure
Enter your values, then calculate to see a verified result.
Reference range
How this result is calculated
A clear calculation path based on your inputs.
Inputs usedReview the information used for this result.
Full calculation and sourcesReview the equation, normalized inputs, assumptions, and version.
Versioned calculationFormula v1.0.0
Method
Mifflin-St Jeor is calculated in metric base units and multiplied once by the selected broad activity factor.
Important boundary
TDEE is an estimate, not a measured metabolic rate. Activity selection usually creates more uncertainty than displayed rounding suggests.
Estimate resting energyApply Mifflin-St Jeor to age, metric height, metric weight, and the selected equation term.
Keep full precision.Apply activity onceMultiply resting energy by the chosen typical-week factor.
Do not add normal workouts again.Calibrate from trendCompare the estimate with several consistent weeks of real intake and weight data.
Short-term scale noise is not calibration.Interpretation
kcal/day is the modeled maintenance estimate for the selected inputs.
The activity factor is broad and already represents routine activity.
Treat the displayed uncertainty band as context, not a measured range.
Use this result
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Related calculators and resources
Weight Loss Timeline CalculatorTranslate a selected energy gap into a labeled linear timeline.Goal Weight Timeline CalculatorReverse a selected timeline into a signed calorie change.Keto CalculatorBuild a low-carbohydrate macro scenario from visible assumptions.Calorie CalculatorTurn maintenance into a user-selected calorie adjustment.
Method and test recordFormula v1.0.0
- Recorded scope
- health-nutrition-foundations
- Publisher
- CalculatorGeek
- Recorded review date
- 2026-10-04
- Next source review
- 2027-10-04
- Definition fixtures
- 4 configured scenarios
- Published examples
- 4 shown below
Recorded method
Independently calculate both equation terms, every activity option, metric-imperial parity, boundary inputs, and invalid inputs.
These records describe the published model and reference tests. A test-case count is not a certification of every possible input or an independent specialist review. Editorial policy
Known limitations
- Predictive equations estimate group averages and can differ from indirect calorimetry.
- Activity factors combine many behaviors into one broad multiplier.
- Pregnancy, lactation, growth, illness, metabolic disease, medications, and substantial body-composition differences are not modeled.
- The ±10% context values illustrate uncertainty; they are not a confidence interval.
Method sources
- Mifflin et al. (1990): A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure
- National Academies: Dietary Reference Intakes for macronutrients
- NIDDK: Body Weight Planner
Latest model update
2026-10-04 - Initial CalculatorGeek shared-system nutrition implementation with source-backed method, fixtures, content, and result journey.
Reference inputs and expected results
Up to 12 examples from the configured definition fixtures are shown. Expected values use the stated output units; invalid inputs are intended to be rejected.
| Case | Inputs | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| male moderate reference | Equation sex term: male; Age: 30 years; Standing height: 180 cm; Body weight: 80 kg; Typical activity factor: moderate | Estimated resting energy: 1780 kcal/day; Estimated TDEE: 2759 kcal/day; Seven-day energy equivalent: 19313 kcal/week |
| female light reference | Equation sex term: female; Age: 35 years; Standing height: 165 cm; Body weight: 65 kg; Typical activity factor: light | Estimated resting energy: 1345.25 kcal/day; Estimated TDEE: 1849.71875 kcal/day (allowed numeric tolerance: 0.0001) |
| imperial parity boundary | Equation sex term: male; Age: 30 years; Standing height: 70.866142 in; Body weight: 176.36981 lb; Typical activity factor: moderate | Estimated TDEE: 2759 kcal/day (allowed numeric tolerance: 0.02) |
| invalid age | Equation sex term: male; Age: 17 years; Standing height: 180 cm; Body weight: 80 kg; Typical activity factor: moderate | Reject invalid input: age |
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On this page
What the TDEE Calculator answers
Estimate adult total daily energy expenditure by combining a named resting-energy equation with one explicit activity factor.
The calculator keeps resting energy, the activity multiplier, weekly equivalent, and ±10% context visible instead of presenting a single calorie number as exact.
Start with the Health calculators hub when you need a different nutrition or body-measurement workflow.
Continue this planning task with the Weight Loss Timeline Calculator. Translate a selected energy gap into a labeled linear timeline.
How to use the TDEE Calculator
- Select the Mifflin-St Jeor equation term.
- Enter current age, standing height, and body weight.
- Choose the activity factor that describes an ordinary week.
- Use the result as a starting estimate and calibrate it from a consistent trend.
For the closest upstream or downstream calculation, use the Calorie Calculator. Turn maintenance into a user-selected calorie adjustment.
Formula, variables and calculation order
REE = 10W + 6.25H - 5A + S, where W is kilograms, H is centimeters, A is years, and S is +5 or -161 according to the selected published equation term.
TDEE = REE × activity factor. The 0.90× and 1.10× outputs are transparent context values, not statistical confidence limits.
To compare this result with a related method, open the BMR Calculator. Inspect resting energy without an activity multiplier.
Worked examples and boundary checks
80 kg, 180 cm, age 30
Using the +5 equation term gives REE 1,780 kcal/day. With activity factor 1.55, estimated TDEE is 1,780 × 1.55 = 2,759 kcal/day.
Boundary check
If routine workouts are represented by the selected activity factor, adding their full wearable calorie estimate again would double-count activity.
How to interpret the result
TDEE is the modeled intake that would balance estimated expenditure at the current inputs. It is not automatically a weight-loss or weight-gain target.
- Predictive equations estimate group averages and can differ from indirect calorimetry.
- Activity factors combine many behaviors into one broad multiplier.
- Pregnancy, lactation, growth, illness, metabolic disease, medications, and substantial body-composition differences are not modeled.
- The ±10% context values illustrate uncertainty; they are not a confidence interval.
For another relevant cross-check, continue with the Calorie Deficit Calculator. Explore a deficit and its linear energy equivalent.
Inputs, outputs and result meaning
Separates resting energy from activity, shows weekly and ±10% context values, and explains calibration without converting the result into an automatic diet target.
Inputs
- Equation sex term
- Select the coefficient set used by the published Mifflin-St Jeor equation; this field does not define gender identity.
- Age
- The implemented adult equation is not a pediatric assessment.
- Standing height
- Measure without shoes.
- Body weight
- Use a current measured body weight.
- Typical activity factor
- Choose the factor that represents an ordinary week. Do not add routine exercise calories again afterward.
Outputs
- Estimated TDEE
- Reported in kcal/day as the primary result.
- Estimated resting energy
- Reported in kcal/day.
- Seven-day energy equivalent
- Reported in kcal/week.
- 10% lower context value
- Reported in kcal/day.
- 10% higher context value
- Reported in kcal/day.
Keep the result, selected inputs, unit labels, and stated limitations together when saving or sharing the calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Is TDEE the same as BMR?
No. Resting energy estimates energy used at rest; TDEE applies an activity factor to estimate total daily expenditure.
Does TDEE include exercise?
Yes, when the selected activity factor represents the usual exercise routine.
Why does my wearable disagree?
Wearables, equations, and food tracking use different models and each has error. Compare a consistent trend rather than one day.
How often should I recalculate?
Recalculate after a meaningful change in weight, activity, or health context, then allow time for a stable trend.
Can this be used during pregnancy or for a child?
No. Those situations require life-stage-specific methods and professional guidance.
Primary sources and evidence limits
- Mifflin et al. (1990): A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure
- National Academies: Dietary Reference Intakes for macronutrients
- NIDDK: Body Weight Planner
Sources were checked 2026-10-04. They support the named equation, reference range, label arithmetic, or evidence boundary; they do not convert an estimate into individualized medical nutrition advice.