BMR is not your daily food allowance: resting energy versus maintenance
A resting-energy estimate is one component of daily energy use. Treating it as an automatic eating target skips an important step.
BMR calculator →Work through the equation
This site uses the simplified Mifflin–St Jeor equation. With male equation parameters, age 30, weight 70 kg and height 175 cm, the arithmetic is 10 × 70 + 6.25 × 175 − 5 × 30 + 5 = 1648.75 kcal per day. More precisely, the published equation predicts resting energy expenditure; the interface describes the result as an estimated basal metabolic rate.
Add activity as an assumption, not a measurement
Selecting an activity multiplier of 1.2 in the calorie calculator produces 1648.75 × 1.2 = 1978.5 kcal per day as an estimated maintenance value. The multiplier is a broad modeling choice. Two people with identical equation inputs may have very different working days and movement patterns. The resting value of roughly 1649 is therefore not automatically a recommended intake or a maximum amount of food.
Know where the estimate stops
These adult equations are not individual prescriptions for children, pregnancy, breastfeeding or illness. They can help explain an energy model and compare assumptions, but cannot decide an appropriate nutrition plan without context. The macro calculator allocates an energy total among nutrients; it does not establish whether that total is suitable. For personal dietary decisions, use qualified advice when circumstances require it.
Try the calculators
- BMR calculator
Estimate resting energy with Mifflin–St Jeor.
- Calorie calculator
Estimate maintenance energy for your activity level.
- Macro calculator
Convert daily calories into carbohydrate, protein and fat grams.