Calorie Calculator
Estimate maintenance calories using the Mifflin–St Jeor equation.
Last updated: October 15, 2026
Estimated maintenance calories
0 kcal/day
On this page
Quick summary: Estimate maintenance calories using the Mifflin–St Jeor equation.
Read the method, example and limitations
Updated reference sections in this guide are in English.
Guide language: English. Updated October 15, 2026.
What this calculator estimates
The Calorie Calculator estimates daily energy needs from personal characteristics and activity level. It is mainly useful for understanding approximately how many calories may maintain current body weight before applying a controlled calorie surplus or deficit.
Inputs and units
Enter Sex, Age, Weight (kg), Height (cm), Activity level. Use the units shown. Enter positive adult measurements in the stated units. Zero does not stand for a missing measurement. Select Calculate after changing the values.
Method and assumptions
Estimate resting expenditure with the rounded Mifflin-St Jeor form: 10 x weight in kg + 6.25 x height in cm - 5 x adult age, plus 5 for the male equation or minus 161 for the female equation. Multiply by the selected activity factor for an illustrative maintenance estimate.
Worked example
A male-equation example at age 30, 70 kg and 175 cm has a resting estimate of 1,648.75 kcal/day. With activity factor 1.55, the displayed maintenance estimate is 2,556 kcal/day.
Limitations
The calculator accepts adults aged 18 or older. The original study involved healthy adults aged 19 to 78. Activity multipliers add a general assumption beyond the resting equation. Illness, pregnancy, athletic training and individual metabolism can require a different assessment.