Calculate Your Calorie Needs
Environmental Nutrition, July 2001

How many calories do you need each day to maintain your weight? Use the formula below to calculate your personal caloric needs.

1. Determine Conversions
Weight in kilograms: Weight in pounds divided by 2.2
Height in centimeters: Height in inches multiplied by 2.54

Activity factor:

Sedentary
1.2
Lightly active
one to three days a week
1.375
Moderately active
three to five days a week
1.55
Very active
six to seven days a week
1.725





 
2. Determine X, Y, and Z
Women
Men
X:
9.6 x weight in kg 13.7 x weight in kg
Y:
1.8 x height in cm 5 x height in cm
Z:
4.7 x age in years 6.8 x age in years
 
3. Determine Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Women
Men
655 + X + Y + Z
66 + X + Y + Z
 
4. Determine Daily Calorie Needs
BMR x Activity Factor

To lose one pound a week: subtract 500 from your daily calorie needs.
To gain one pound a week: add 500 to your daily calorie needs.