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BMR Calculator

Use this BMR calculator to estimate resting daily calorie needs before activity is added.

Last reviewed June 6, 2026Source note includedPlanning estimateNo expert review claimed

Live calculator

BMR calculator

Estimated BMR1,460 calories/day

Estimated resting energy needs before activity is added.

Metric inputs74.8 kg

167.6 cm used in the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.

Planning note

BMR is not the same as maintenance calories. Most people need more than BMR because daily movement, exercise, and digestion add energy needs.

Use this as a planning estimate, not medical advice. Medical conditions, medication, pregnancy, eating disorder history, or disease-specific nutrition needs should be handled with a qualified professional.

Quick answer

BMR Calculator: what it calculates

BMR Calculator estimates basal metabolic rate from sex, age, height, and weight using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation. Use it as a resting-calorie baseline before adding activity with a TDEE estimate.

ResultEstimated BMR
InputsSex, Age, Weight, Height
FormulaMifflin-St Jeor equation

Formula

Mifflin-St Jeor equation

BMR = 10 x weight kg + 6.25 x height cm - 5 x age + 5 for men or -161 for women

BMR is an estimate of resting energy needs before activity is added.

How to use

Steps

  1. Choose sex.
  2. Enter age, weight, and height.
  3. Review estimated resting calories per day.
  4. Use TDEE, not BMR alone, for maintenance calorie planning.

Example

Sample calculation

Profile35-year-old female
Height and weight5 ft 6 in, 165 lb
BMRAbout 1,455 calories/day

Calculator use

Best for

  • Estimating basal metabolic rate from age, sex, height, and weight.
  • Comparing BMR with TDEE or calorie estimates before choosing an activity multiplier.
  • Using a visible Mifflin-St Jeor estimate as a baseline for general adult planning.
  • Checking how changes in body size or age affect estimated baseline energy needs.

Before relying on it

Check first

  • Treating estimated BMR as a personalized medical or nutrition prescription.
  • Ignoring medical conditions, medications, eating disorder history, pregnancy, lactation, or athletic training context.
  • Confusing BMR with total daily calories, which also includes activity and digestion.
  • Assuming the formula directly measures body composition or metabolism instead of estimating it.

Details

What to know before using the result

These notes make the assumptions explicit, especially where the same search query can mean slightly different things.

Resting estimateBefore activity

BMR is lower than total daily energy expenditure because it excludes most movement and exercise.

Formula inputsMetric conversion

The calculator converts pounds to kilograms and inches to centimeters before applying the equation.

Accuracy limitPopulation equation

Individual metabolism can differ from equation estimates because of body composition, hormones, illness, medications, and training.

Source notes

References used for this calculator

PubMedIndexes the 1990 Mifflin-St Jeor paper introducing a predictive equation for resting energy expenditure.NCBI BookshelfExplains that energy metabolism changes with rest, work, exercise, and other demands.

Benchmarks

How to read the result

The calculator is a decision aid, not a fixed rule. Use the output to compare scenarios and document your assumptions. Benchmark ranges are broad planning heuristics unless this page names a specific source for the range.

BMR: Resting calories.

Energy estimate before activity adjustment.

TDEE: BMR x activity.

Better for maintenance calorie planning.

Tracked intake: Reality check.

Real weight trends are useful for adjusting equation estimates.

Calculator accuracy

Methodology and assumptions

The formula, inputs, example, and limitations are shown so the result is checkable, not just a number in a box.

Formula

BMR = 10 x weight kg + 6.25 x height cm - 5 x age + 5 for men or -161 for women

Inputs used

Sex, Age, Weight, Height

Limitations

Health results are screening or planning estimates. Age, body composition, medication, medical history, pregnancy, and professional guidance can change the right interpretation.

Last reviewed

June 6, 2026

Cite this page

Toolkit Shelf. BMR Calculator. Last reviewed June 6, 2026. https://toolkitshelf.com/tools/bmr-calculator

FAQ

Common questions

What is BMR?

BMR is an estimate of calories your body uses at rest before daily activity is added.

Is BMR the same as maintenance calories?

No. Maintenance calories usually mean total daily energy expenditure, which adds activity to BMR.

Which BMR formula does this use?

It uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation with weight in kilograms and height in centimeters.

When should I ask a clinician?

Ask a clinician or qualified nutrition professional when pregnancy, medication, medical history, eating disorder risk, symptoms, or disease-specific guidance matters.

Why can health formulas be misleading?

Health formulas simplify age, sex, body composition, training status, measurement method, pregnancy, and medical context into a planning estimate.

Is this medical advice?

No. Health calculators are screening or planning tools and do not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or nutrition guidance.