Quick answer
TDEE Calculator: what it calculates
TDEE Calculator calculates estimated tdee from sex, age and weight. The core method is TDEE = Mifflin-St Jeor BMR x activity multiplier.
Health Calculators
TDEE Calculator
Use this TDEE calculator to estimate maintenance calories from BMR and activity level.
Reviewed May 25, 2026EstimateFormula shown
ResultEstimated TDEE
InputsSex, Age, Weight, Height, Activity level
FormulaTDEE formula
Live calculator
TDEE calculator
Estimated TDEE2,008 calories/day
BMR multiplied by the selected activity factor.
Moderate loss target1,708 calories/day
A simple planning target using 300 calories below estimated TDEE.
Moderate gain target2,308 calories/day
A simple planning target using 300 calories above estimated TDEE.
Formula
TDEE formula
TDEE = Mifflin-St Jeor BMR x activity multiplierActivity multipliers are planning estimates, so real-world tracking is still important.
How to use
Steps
- Enter sex, age, height, and weight.
- Choose the closest activity level.
- Review estimated maintenance calories.
- Use the loss and gain targets as moderate planning examples.
Example
Sample calculation
Profile35-year-old female
ActivityLight activity
Estimated TDEEAbout 2,000 calories/day
Calculator use
Best for
- Quick estimated tdee from sex, age and weight.
- Wellness, nutrition, pregnancy, or fitness planning when a rough estimate is enough.
- Scenario comparisons before changing calorie, macro, or body-measurement assumptions.
- Planning alongside professional medical or nutrition advice, not as a diagnosis.
Before relying on it
Check first
- Entering sex, age and weight from different time periods or scenarios.
- Treating a calculator result as medical advice or a diagnosis.
- Using stale body, activity, pregnancy, or nutrition inputs when your situation has changed.
- Ignoring context such as age, medication, training status, medical history, or professional guidance.
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.
Activity selectionLargest assumption
Changing activity level can move the result by hundreds of calories per day.
Planning targetMaintenance estimate
TDEE is a starting point. Weight trend, hunger, performance, and health feedback should guide adjustments.
Medical contextNot clinical nutrition
Pregnancy, eating disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, medications, and other health situations need qualified guidance.
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.
1.2xSedentary
Low daily movement and little structured exercise.
1.55xModerate
Moderate exercise or active daily routine.
1.9xExtra active
Hard training, physical job, or very high movement.
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
TDEE = Mifflin-St Jeor BMR x activity multiplier
Inputs used
Sex, Age, Weight, Height, Activity level
Limitations
Results are estimates for quick planning and should be checked before important financial, legal, tax, health, or business decisions.
Last reviewed
May 25, 2026
Cite this page
Toolkit Shelf. TDEE Calculator. Retrieved May 25, 2026, from https://toolkitshelf.com/tools/tdee-calculator
FAQ
Common questions
What does TDEE mean?
TDEE means total daily energy expenditure, an estimate of calories burned per day including activity.
How is TDEE calculated?
This calculator estimates BMR with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, then multiplies by an activity factor.
Are TDEE calculators exact?
No. They are starting estimates. Adjust from real-world weight, appetite, training, and health feedback.