🧘 BMR Calculator

Understanding BMR

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) represents the minimum number of calories your body requires to perform its most basic, life-sustaining functions if you were to rest for 24 hours. These functions include breathing, blood circulation, temperature regulation, cell growth, brain and nerve function, and the contraction of muscles.

Mifflin-St Jeor Equation:

This calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which is widely considered one of the most accurate formulas for estimating BMR in adults:

• For Men: BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age in years) + 5
• For Women: BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age in years) - 161

Factors Influencing BMR:

• Body Size and Composition: Larger individuals and those with more muscle mass generally have a higher BMR.
• Age: BMR typically decreases with age due to loss of muscle mass.
• Gender: Men usually have a higher BMR than women, primarily due to differences in body composition (more muscle mass on average).
• Other factors like genetics, hormones, and health status can also play a role.

BMR vs. TDEE:

It's important to distinguish BMR from Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). BMR is only the calories burned at complete rest. TDEE includes your BMR plus the calories burned through physical activity (exercise and non-exercise activity thermogenesis - NEAT) and the thermic effect of food (calories burned digesting and processing food). To estimate your TDEE, you would typically multiply your BMR by an activity factor. Our Daily Calorie Calculator can help with this.

Knowing your BMR provides a crucial baseline for understanding your body's fundamental energy needs, which is essential for weight management and nutritional planning.