What is calculated
Gross activity energy from a selected 2024 Compendium MET value.
Calories Burned Calculator
Estimated activity energy
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 sourcesOpen Full calculation and sources to review normalized inputs, the formula sequence, assumptions, and evidence boundaries.
Versioned calculationFormula v1.0.0
Method
Multiply the unchanged MET value by kilograms and active hours.
Important boundary
A broad activity label cannot capture every speed, grade, stroke, rest interval, or technique difference.
Match the activityChoose the closest Compendium description.
Walking, moderate paceEnter measured inputsUse body weight and active duration.
70 kg for 45 minRead an estimateKeep the MET and assumptions attached.
Not a wearable calibrationInterpretation
kcal is the standardized gross-energy estimate.
The selected MET remains visible for audit.
Do not add the result twice when TDEE already includes the activity.
Use this result
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Related calculators and resources
TDEE CalculatorKeep planned activity expenditure separate from whole-day energy needs.Calorie CalculatorReview a separate daily energy scenario.Heart Rate Zone CalculatorCompare pace or activity with a transparent intensity convention.Sweat Rate CalculatorEstimate condition-specific fluid loss from measured before-and-after data.
Method and test recordFormula v1.0.0
- Recorded scope
- health-activity-performance-completion
- Publisher
- CalculatorGeek
- Recorded review date
- 2026-10-05
- Next source review
- 2027-04-05
- Definition fixtures
- 3 configured scenarios
- Published examples
- 3 shown below
Recorded method
Recompute MET x kg x hours independently for every activity option and verify metric/imperial equivalence and invalid-duration handling.
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
- Standard METs represent reference energy costs and individual expenditure varies.
- Gross MET energy includes resting expenditure during the activity interval.
- A broad activity label cannot capture every speed, grade, stroke, rest interval, or technique difference.
- Wearable and machine estimates may use different proprietary models.
- Do not double-count the same activity in both a TDEE factor and an added exercise adjustment.
Method sources
Latest model update
2026-10-05 - Initial evidence-led shared-system implementation with fixtures, boundaries, original support content, and intentional cluster links.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| reference activity | Activity and intensity: walking; Body weight: 70 kg; Activity duration: 60 min | Selected MET value: 3.8 MET; Estimated activity energy: 266 kcal (allowed numeric tolerance: 0.0001) |
| imperial equivalence | Activity and intensity: walking; Body weight: 154.3235835 lb; Activity duration: 30 min | Estimated activity energy: 133 kcal (allowed numeric tolerance: 0.001) |
| invalid duration | Activity and intensity: walking; Body weight: 70 kg; Activity duration: 0 min | Reject invalid input: duration |
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On this page
What the Calories Burned Calculator answers
Estimate gross energy for a named activity using its visible 2024 Compendium MET value, measured body weight, and active duration.
The result keeps the selected MET visible and does not hide a proprietary device model.
Use the Health calculators hub to choose the neighboring workflow rather than forcing one result to answer a different question.
How to use the Calories Burned Calculator
- Choose the closest activity and intensity description.
- Enter measured body weight and active duration.
- Review the selected MET and calorie estimate together.
- Avoid treating the estimate as a measured personal burn.
Continue with the TDEE Calculator. Keep planned activity expenditure separate from whole-day energy needs.
Formula, variables and calculation order
kcal = MET x kg x hours. One standard MET is approximately 1 kcal/kg/hour in the Compendium convention.
Inputs are normalized to the displayed base units, the calculation keeps full precision, and rounding is applied only to visible outputs.
Cross-check the next part of the workflow with the Calorie Calculator. Review a separate daily energy scenario.
Worked example and boundary check
Worked example
At 70 kg for 45 minutes, the selected 3.8 MET activity estimates 200 kcal.
Boundary check
A longer duration or higher MET increases the estimate linearly; individual efficiency, pauses, environment, and measurement error are not inferred.
How to interpret the result
Use the result as standardized activity-energy arithmetic, not as an exact personal calorie burn or permission to change food intake.
- Standard METs represent reference energy costs and individual expenditure varies.
- Gross MET energy includes resting expenditure during the activity interval.
- A broad activity label cannot capture every speed, grade, stroke, rest interval, or technique difference.
- Wearable and machine estimates may use different proprietary models.
- Do not double-count the same activity in both a TDEE factor and an added exercise adjustment.
For a separate result with different assumptions, open the Heart Rate Zone Calculator. Compare pace or activity with a transparent intensity convention.
Frequently asked questions
Is this my exact calorie burn?
No. It is a standardized MET estimate using body weight and duration.
Why does my watch show another number?
Wearables may use heart rate, movement, proprietary calibration, and net rather than gross energy.
Does fitness level matter?
Yes. Efficiency and physiology can change individual energy cost even when the same standard MET is used.
Should I eat back every estimated calorie?
The calculator does not make that recommendation; first check whether the activity is already represented in your daily energy estimate.
Primary sources and evidence limits
Sources were checked 2026-10-05. They establish the stated method or interpretation boundary; they do not make a field estimate equivalent to laboratory measurement, coaching, medical diagnosis, or an individualized safety decision.