Add details to estimate the calorie intake to reach your weight loss goal.
This calculator estimates your daily calorie needs for healthy weight loss. To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit (burn more calories than you consume). It also functions as a calorie calculator, helping to determine the calorie burn required for your weight goal. Maintaining a healthy calorie balance is crucial for weight loss success. Use this weight loss estimator as a starting point to set your personalized plan based on your daily calorie needs.
Tool Creation: We (Team) of calculator-online.net created this tool using the scientific formulas that we mentioned below. The calculations are reviewed by our Experts and do best to provides reliable estimations as possible.
These are the different equations used for determining calorie needs:
BMR = (10.m + 6.25h – 5.0a) + s m = Mass (kg), h = Height (cm), a = Age (years)
The gender-specific versions of this formula is as follows:
Equation For Men: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (y) + 5
Equation For Women: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) – 5 x age (y) – 161
Katch = 370 + (21.6 * LBM) LBM = lean body mass
Men: (13.397m + 4.799h – 5.677a) + 88.362
Women: Harris-Benedict = (9.247m + 3.098h – 4.330a) + 447.593
The physical activities that you perform in a day impact your daily calorie needs. Physical activity and weight loss goals are connected. Both of them are necessary for creating an effective weight loss plan.
Physical Activity Multiplier (PAL):
Physical Activity Level | Examples | MET Value |
No Sports/Exercise | Sitting, Reading, Watching TV, etc. | 1.2 |
Light Activity 1-3 Times per Week | Walking, Light Gardening, etc. | 1.375 |
Moderate Activity 3-5 Times per Week | Brisk Walking, Jogging, Swimming, etc. | 1.55 |
High Activity Everyday Exercise | Running, Cycling, Heavy Gardening, etc. | 1.725 |
Extreme Activity Professional Athlete | Intense Training, Competitive Sports, etc. | 1.9 |
According to the latest edition of the USDA Dietary Guidelines, daily calorie needs are approximately 1,600 to 2,600 for men and 1,400 to 2,200 for women per day. The individual needs may differ based on age, gender, height, weight, and activity level. If you are unsure about how long it will take to lose weight, use our weight loss calculator that takes the target date and tells you about calories you need to eat within a specific time to lose weight.
Note: A safe calorie deficit typically falls within the range of 500-1000 calories per day. Don't restrict calories below recommended minimums (1,500 for men, 1,200 for women, 1,350 for non-binary individuals). As, this can be unhealthy and lead to nutrient deficiencies.
– | Males | Females | ||||
Age (Years) | Sedentary (Kcal/Day) | Moderately Active (Kcal/Day) | Active (Kcal/Day) | Sedentary (Kcal/Day) | Moderately Active (Kcal/Day) | Active (Kcal/Day) |
15 | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 2,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
16 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 2,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
17 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 2,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
18 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 | 2,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
19-20 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 3,000 | 2,400 | 2,000 | 2,200 |
21-25 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,000 | 2,400 | 2,000 | 2,200 |
26-30 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 2,400 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
31-35 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 2,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
36-40 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 2,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
41-45 | 2,200 | 2,600 | 2,800 | 2,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
46-50 | 2,200 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 2,200 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
51-55 | 2,200 | 2,400 | 2,800 | 2,200 | 1,600 | 1,800 |
56-60 | 2,200 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 2,200 | 1,600 | 1,800 |
Set a goal for losing a specific weight over the week ( safe range: 1–2 lbs per week).
Exercising daily improves your resting metabolic rate (RMR), builds lean mass, keeps you active, and supports long-term weight maintenance. It has a lot of health benefits, including boosting your mood, strengthening your cardiovascular system, and reducing your blood pressure. Regular exercise helps to burn calories. It includes:
A healthy diet consists of sufficient water, protein, and a controlled amount of sugar and refined carbohydrates. It's necessary to eat good and healthy food so that you can lose weight healthily. Enhance the use of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and cut down the use of sugar. Practice mindful eating and pay attention to portion sizes.
Stop drinking sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened coffees and teas, and alcoholic beverages.
As we know water is essential for various bodily processes, including digestion and nutrient absorption. Proper hydration can also aid in weight loss.
Having enough sleep (7-8 hours) is important for weight loss. Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, often leading to increased cravings and creating difficulty in losing weight. Poor sleep can also impact on your overall health.
Fasting will help to get rid of extra body fat by taking energy from it, resulting in shedding extra pounds from your body. It is suggested to consult with a doctor before starting intermittent fasting, as it might not be suitable for everyone! For a quick estimate of various factors related to weight loss and weight management, use our body weight loss calculator.
Food | Serving Size | Calories | kJ |
Fruit | |||
Apple | 1 (4 oz.) | 59 | 247 |
Banana | 1 (6 oz.) | 151 | 632 |
Grapes | 1 cup | 100 | 419 |
Orange | 1 (4 oz.) | 53 | 222 |
Pear | 1 (5 oz.) | 82 | 343 |
Peach | 1 (6 oz.) | 67 | 281 |
Pineapple | 1 cup | 82 | 343 |
Strawberry | 1 cup | 53 | 222 |
Watermelon | 1 cup | 50 | 209 |
Vegetables | |||
Asparagus | 1 cup | 27 | 113 |
Broccoli | 1 cup | 45 | 188 |
Carrots | 1 cup | 50 | 209 |
Cucumber | 4 oz. | 17 | 71 |
Eggplant | 1 cup | 35 | 147 |
Lettuce | 1 cup | 5 | 21 |
Tomato | 1 cup | 22 | 92 |
Proteins | |||
Beef, regular, cooked | 2 oz. | 142 | 595 |
Chicken, cooked | 2 oz. | 136 | 569 |
Tofu | 4 oz. | 86 | 360 |
Egg | 1 large | 78 | 327 |
Fish, Catfish, cooked | 2 oz. | 136 | 569 |
Pork, cooked | 2 oz. | 137 | 574 |
Shrimp, cooked | 2 oz. | 56 | 234 |
Common Meals/Snacks | |||
Bread, white | 1 slice (1 oz.) | 75 | 314 |
Butter | 1 tablespoon | 102 | 427 |
Caesar salad | 3 cups | 481 | 2014 |
Cheeseburger | 1 sandwich | 285 | 1193 |
Hamburger | 1 sandwich | 250 | 1047 |
Dark Chocolate | 1 oz. | 155 | 649 |
Corn | 1 cup | 132 | 553 |
Pizza | 1 slice (14") | 285 | 1193 |
Potato | 6 oz. | 130 | 544 |
Rice | 1 cup cooked | 206 | 862 |
Sandwich | 1 (6" Subway Turkey Sandwich) | 200 | 837 |
Beverages/Dairy | |||
Coca-Cola Classic | 1 can | 150 | 628 |
Diet Coke | 1 can | 0 | 0 |
Milk (1%) | 1 cup | 102 | 427 |
Milk (2%) | 1 cup | 122 | 511 |
Milk (Whole) | 1 cup | 146 | 611 |
Orange Juice | 1 cup | 111 | 465 |
Apple cider | 1 cup | 117 | 490 |
Yogurt (low-fat) | 1 cup | 154 | 645 |
Yogurt (non-fat) | 1 cup | 110 | 461 |
1 cup = ~250 milliliters, and 1 tablespoon = 14.2 gram
Create a calorie deficit not exceeding the safe range (500-1000 calories). Individual factors like metabolism and activity level, age, gender, and height can influence calorie needs. Before making any changes in your caloric intake, consult a registered dietitian for optimal results.
The 30 30 30 rule suggests consuming 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up before doing a 30-minute low-intensity exercise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), losing 1-2 pounds per week is considered safe.
Burning 300 calories a day more than you consume can help! Combining a slight calorie reduction with regular exercise is an effective approach to lose weight. Remember, individual factors like diet and activity level can influence weight loss.
Reference Studies:
American Cancer Society – Does Body Weight Affect Cancer Risk?
CDC – Losing Weight Is About Adopting a Lifestyle