Total Daily Energy Expenditure Calculator
Estimate how many calories you burn across a typical day by combining Mifflin-St Jeor BMR with a standard activity multiplier.
Enter your details and activity level to estimate total daily energy expenditure.
What Does TDEE Mean?
TDEE stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure. It is an estimate of the total energy your body uses in a day, including resting metabolism plus ordinary movement, work and exercise. This calculator estimates BMR first and then applies an activity multiplier.
How activity multipliers work
Standard TDEE calculators use broad activity categories because most people do not measure daily energy expenditure in a laboratory. Sedentary, light, moderate, very active and extra active multipliers are convenient approximations, but the activity choice is also the biggest source of uncertainty.
If you work at a desk but exercise three times per week, “light” may be more realistic than “very active.” If you have a physically demanding job and train regularly, a higher category may fit better. Your real-world body-weight trend over time can help you judge whether the estimate is close.
TDEE and weight goals
When average calorie intake is close to average TDEE, body weight often trends toward maintenance. Intakes below or above that estimate may support loss or gain, but individual response is not perfectly predictable. This page therefore shows modest percentage ranges rather than aggressive targets.
TDEE Calculator United Kingdom: FAQs
Is TDEE the same as maintenance calories?
They are often used as the same practical estimate. TDEE represents daily energy expenditure, while “maintenance calories” describes an intake that may approximately match that expenditure over time.
Why is my TDEE higher than my BMR?
BMR covers resting functions only. TDEE includes additional energy used for movement and activity, so it is normally higher than BMR.
How accurate is an online TDEE calculator?
It is a useful starting estimate, not a direct measurement. Activity level, body composition and individual metabolism can create meaningful differences between calculated and actual daily energy expenditure.
Should I recalculate TDEE?
Recalculate if your body weight, activity pattern or training volume changes substantially. For a more general daily calorie view, you can also use the Calorie Calculator United Kingdom.