BMR Calculator
Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate, the calories your body burns at complete rest.
Your body burns approximately 1,706 calories per day at complete rest. This is the minimum energy your body needs to function.
Why This Calculation Matters
The BMR Calculator turns a well-known health formula into an instant lookup. It's most useful when you're tracking a number over time or comparing yourself against published reference ranges from bodies like the CDC, NIH, or WHO. Use it as one data point among many, not a diagnosis.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your values in the input fields, each one has a label and help text explaining what to type.
- Results appear instantly as you type; there's no "calculate" button to press.
- Change any input to compare scenarios side by side.
All math happens in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, saved, or shared.
Reading Your Result
A single number tells you less than a trend. Track this value over weeks or months rather than obsessing over day-to-day variation. Hydration, sleep, and timing can all shift short-term readings without reflecting any real change.
Basal Metabolic Rate
BMR is the number of calories your body needs to perform basic life-sustaining functions like breathing, circulation, cell production, and nutrient processing.
The Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
This is the most accurate BMR formula for most people:
- Men: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm), (5 × age) + 5
- Women: (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm), (5 × age), 161
What Affects BMR?
- Muscle mass: More muscle = higher BMR
- Age: BMR decreases about 1-2% per decade after 20
- Body size: Larger bodies burn more calories
- Genetics: Accounts for 5-10% of BMR variation
Formula
Mifflin-St Jeor is the modern standard:
Men: 10 × kg + 6.25 × cm − 5 × age + 5
Women: 10 × kg + 6.25 × cm − 5 × age − 161
Returns basal metabolic rate (calories burned at complete rest over 24 hours).
When to Use This Calculator
- Track personal health metrics over time alongside guidance from your clinician.
- Understand how lifestyle changes may influence a given health number.
- Compare values against recognized reference ranges from CDC, NIH, or WHO.
Limitations & Common Mistakes
- Not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for anything that affects your care.
- Population-level formulas don't account for individual medical history, medications, or body composition nuances.
- Reference ranges evolve, use current CDC/NIH/WHO values when accuracy matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR is calories burned at complete rest, just to stay alive. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is BMR multiplied by an activity factor that accounts for exercise and daily movement. TDEE is the total calories you burn in a day.
Should I use the BMR Calculator for medical decisions?
No. This tool is educational. For anything affecting your health or treatment, consult a qualified clinician who can factor in your full medical history.
Which reference values does this use?
Where relevant, thresholds match CDC, NIH, or WHO guidance. Sources are linked in the "Sources & Further Reading" section below.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. The BMR Calculator is free, requires no signup, and runs entirely in your browser, your inputs are never sent to a server.
How often is this calculator updated?
Formulas are reviewed against authoritative sources, and any rate or price data is refreshed on an automated schedule. Check the "as of" date on any live data panel for the most recent refresh.
Related Calculators
More Health →TDEE Calculator
Calculate your Total Daily Energy Expenditure, the total calories you burn each day including activity.
Calorie Intake Calculator
Calculate how many calories you should eat daily based on your goals, lose, maintain, or gain weight.
BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) from height and weight. See where you fall on the BMI scale.
Related guides
- TDEE: The Only Calorie Number That Actually Drives Weight ChangeBMR tells you the baseline. Calorie intake tells you the input. TDEE is the number that decides whether you lose, maintain, or gain, and it is the one most people miscalculate.
- BMI vs. Body Fat Percentage: Which Number Actually Measures HealthBMI is free and fast. Body fat percentage is more accurate. Waist-to-hip ratio predicts cardiovascular risk better than either. Here is when to use which, and what the CDC and WHO actually recommend.