TDEE Calculator
Explore a rough activity-adjusted estimate of total daily energy expenditure.
Calculate your estimate
What this tool tells you
Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is an estimate of the energy your body uses across a day. This tool combines a resting estimate with a broad activity factor.
How the estimate works
First, the Mifflin–St Jeor equation estimates resting energy expenditure. Then this calculator multiplies it by a commonly used activity factor from 1.2 to 1.9. These factors are illustrative approximations, not measured personal activity levels; exercise frequency alone cannot determine your actual expenditure.
Important limitations
The result is not a prescription for eating or weight change. Activity factors can overestimate or underestimate actual needs, and pregnancy, illness, training, or body composition may change energy use. The original resting-energy study included adults aged 19–78, so results outside that age range also extrapolate the equation. For personal nutrition decisions, consult a qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
What does TDEE stand for?
Total daily energy expenditure: an estimate of energy used across a full day.
How should I choose an activity level?
Choose the description that best reflects your typical week, including work and exercise. Treat the result as a broad estimate even if a description seems exact.
Is the number exact?
No. It is a model-based estimate and can differ substantially from measured individual needs.
Understand your energy estimate
See how resting energy and daily activity relate, and why the output is an estimate rather than a personal intake target.