Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Calculate your basal metabolic rate (resting calories) using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation.
kg
cm
yrs
Basal metabolic rate1,649 kcal
Calories your body burns at complete rest, with no activity.
How it works
If you stayed in bed all day without moving, your body would still burn calories to breathe, pump blood and stay warm. Those calories are your basal metabolic rate (BMR).
The calculation uses the Mifflin–St Jeor equation, one of the most reliable, based on weight, height, age and sex. A man of 80 kg, 180 cm, aged 30 has a BMR of around 1,780 calories.
BMR is the baseline for knowing how much you really eat. Add your activity and you get your total daily needs (TDEE).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR is only what you burn at rest. TDEE adds everything you burn through movement and exercise during the day.
Why does metabolism drop with age?
Over the years muscle mass tends to fall, and muscle is metabolically active. Less muscle means a slightly lower BMR.
How accurate is the estimate?
It is very good for most people, but it stays an estimate. Genetics, hormones and body composition affect the real figure.