The Mifflin-St Jeor formula
where s = +5 for men and −161 for women.
Turning BMR into daily calories
To estimate the calories you actually burn, multiply BMR by an activity factor — from 1.2 (sedentary) up to 1.9 (extra active). The result table above does this for each level.
Frequently asked questions
What is BMR?
Basal Metabolic Rate is the number of calories your body needs at complete rest to keep essential functions running — breathing, circulation, cell production and so on. It is the largest part of most people’s daily calorie use.
Which formula does this use?
It uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, widely regarded as the most accurate general BMR estimate for healthy adults.
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR is your at-rest calorie burn. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is your BMR multiplied by an activity factor — the calories you actually use in a day. See the Calorie Calculator for TDEE and goals.
Why do men and women have different BMR?
On average, men carry more lean muscle mass, which burns more calories at rest, so the equation adds a higher constant for men than for women.
For general information only — not medical advice.