Free TDEE Calculator 2026: Find Your Calorie Needs
Use this free TDEE calculator to find exactly how many calories your body burns each day. Understand your results and put them to work for your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the number of calories your body burns at complete rest — just to keep your organs functioning. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) adds all daily activity on top of BMR to give your true total calorie burn. Always plan your intake around TDEE, not BMR.
How accurate is a free TDEE calculator?
A Mifflin-St Jeor-based calculator predicts resting metabolic rate within 10% for most healthy adults, according to a systematic review in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. For women, the margin can be wider — roughly 1 in 3 falls outside that window. Treat the result as an informed starting point and adjust after 2–3 weeks of tracking.
What activity level should I choose in a TDEE calculator?
Choose the level that honestly reflects your full average week — steps, job movement, and planned exercise combined. Research shows most people overestimate their activity by one full tier. When uncertain, go one tier lower than your instinct and adjust upward after two weeks if your real-world data supports it.
How do I use my TDEE to lose weight?
Subtract 300–500 calories from your TDEE to create a moderate deficit. This produces roughly 0.5–1 lb of fat loss per week without triggering significant muscle loss or metabolic slowdown. Avoid dropping below 1,200 kcal for women or 1,500 kcal for men regardless of how large your calculated deficit appears.
Does TDEE change as you lose weight?
Yes. As your body weight decreases, your BMR falls because there is less tissue to maintain. Your TDEE typically drops by roughly 10–15 calories for every kilogram lost. Recalculate every 4–6 weeks, or whenever your weight changes by more than 2–3 kg, to keep your calorie target accurate.