Your Daily Calorie Target
Calorie Breakdown
Weekly Projection
At this rate, you could lose about 0.5 kg (1 lb) per week.
Find out how many calories you need per day to reach your goals
At this rate, you could lose about 0.5 kg (1 lb) per week.
It depends on your age, weight, height, activity level, and goals. Most adults need between 1,600-3,000 calories daily. Use our calculator above for a personalized recommendation based on your specific details.
To lose weight, eat fewer calories than you burn (calorie deficit). A 500-calorie daily deficit leads to about 0.5 kg (1 lb) weight loss per week. Our calculator automatically adjusts for weight loss goals.
Calorie calculators provide estimates that are typically within 10% of your actual needs. They're excellent starting points, but you should adjust based on real-world results over 2-3 weeks.
Yes, calorie counting is scientifically proven for weight management. It creates awareness of food intake and helps maintain a consistent calorie deficit, which is essential for weight loss.
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is calories burned at rest. TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is your total daily calorie burn including activity. Your calorie target is based on TDEE adjusted for your goal.
If you selected the correct activity level, exercise is already factored in. Only eat back calories if you do significantly more exercise than usual, and even then, only eat back 50-75% to account for overestimation.
Read nutrition labels, use a food tracking app, or look up foods in calorie databases. Weigh portions for accuracy. Focus on whole foods which are easier to track than processed foods.
For most people, calorie counting is a useful tool. However, if it causes stress or obsessive behavior, consider intuitive eating approaches instead. Balance is key for sustainable health.
Calories come from three macronutrients: protein (4 cal/g), carbohydrates (4 cal/g), and fats (9 cal/g). Alcohol also provides 7 cal/g. A balanced diet includes all three macros.
To build muscle, eat 200-500 calories above your TDEE (calorie surplus) while strength training. This provides energy for muscle growth while minimizing fat gain. Our calculator includes this option.
Women shouldn't go below 1,200 calories and men below 1,500 without medical supervision. Eating too few calories can slow metabolism, cause nutrient deficiencies, and lead to muscle loss.
Recalculate every 5-10 pounds of weight change or monthly. As you lose or gain weight, your calorie needs change. Also recalculate if your activity level changes significantly.