๐ฅ TDEE Calculator
Estimate your daily calorie needs based on activity level
๐ฅ What is Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)?
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is the total number of calories your body burns in a day, including all activitiesโfrom sleeping and breathing to walking, working, and exercising. It gives you a personalized estimate of how many calories you need to maintain your current weight.
If you want to:
- Lose weight โ Eat less than your TDEE (caloric deficit)
- Gain weight โ Eat more than your TDEE (caloric surplus)
- Maintain weight โ Eat around your TDEE
๐ง Why TDEE is Important
Understanding your TDEE helps you:
- Set realistic calorie goals
- Tailor your macro intake
- Avoid under- or overeating
- Make your fitness and diet plans more effective
โ๏ธ How TDEE is Calculated
TDEE is calculated using two main parts:
- BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate):
- The number of calories your body needs at rest to perform essential functions (breathing, heartbeat, cell repair, etc.)
- It makes up about 60โ70% of your TDEE
- Activity Factor:
- A multiplier based on your physical activity level
- This includes workouts, walking, job duties, and other physical movement
๐ Step-by-Step Breakdown:
โ Step 1: Calculate BMR
There are a few formulas, but the most accurate for most people is the Mifflin-St Jeor Equation:
- For Men:
BMR = 10 ร weight (kg) + 6.25 ร height (cm) โ 5 ร age (years) + 5 - For Women:
BMR = 10 ร weight (kg) + 6.25 ร height (cm) โ 5 ร age (years) โ 161
โ Step 2: Choose an Activity Level
| Activity Level | Description | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedentary | Little to no exercise | 1.2 |
| Lightly Active | Light exercise 1โ3 days/week | 1.375 |
| Moderately Active | Moderate exercise 3โ5 days/week | 1.55 |
| Very Active | Hard exercise 6โ7 days/week | 1.725 |
| Super Active | Physical job or 2ร training daily | 1.9 |
โ Step 3: Multiply BMR by Activity Factor
iniCopyEditTDEE = BMR ร Activity Level
๐ Example:
- Gender: Female
- Age: 30
- Weight: 60 kg
- Height: 165 cm
- Activity: Moderate (1.55)
BMR = 10ร60 + 6.25ร165 โ 5ร30 โ 161 = 1320.25
TDEE = 1320.25 ร 1.55 = ~2046 kcal/day
This means she needs around 2,046 calories per day to maintain her current weight.
๐ What Can You Do With Your TDEE?
| Goal | Adjust Calories |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | TDEE – 500 kcal/day (approx. 0.5 kg/week) |
| Weight gain | TDEE + 250โ500 kcal/day |
| Maintenance | Eat at your TDEE |
โ Final Tips
- Use a calculator to simplify your math (I can build you one!)
- Reassess your TDEE as your weight or activity level changes
- Donโt go too low on calories โ extreme deficits harm metabolism
๐ง Summary
TDEE is your personal calorie budget.
When you know it, you gain control over your weight, performance, and energy. Rather than guessing or following strict diets, calculate your TDEE and eat according to your goal.
“Donโt just count calories โ understand them.”


