BMR Calculator: Estimate Your Basal Metabolic Rate
Our Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) calculator helps you determine your daily calorie needs at rest. Calculate your BMR to understand your body's energy expenditure, a key factor in weight management and health. Use this metabolic rate calculator for accurate BMR computation and to find your BMR.
Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs to perform basic life-sustaining functions at rest, such as breathing, circulation, and cell production. Our BMR calculator helps you estimate this crucial number. Knowing your BMR is the first step in understanding your overall daily calorie needs, often referred to as Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). This basal metabolic rate calculator uses widely accepted formulas.
Whether you need a BMR calculator for women or a BMR calculator for men, the underlying principles are similar, though formulas often account for gender differences. Our calculate BMR tool provides results based on your specific inputs. This is more accurate than a generic BMR chart because it's personalized.
This BMR metabolism calculator uses established scientific equations to estimate your BMR. The most common formulas are:
Using our online BMR calculator is simple: input your age, gender, height, and weight. The calculator BMR will then display your estimated basal metabolic rate. This human BMR calculator provides a baseline for your daily caloric needs.
Several factors can affect your BMR. Understanding these can help you interpret your my BMR calculator results:
- Body Composition: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. Higher muscle mass leads to a higher BMR.
- Age: BMR generally decreases with age due to loss of muscle tissue.
- Gender: Men typically have a higher BMR than women due to differences in body composition (more muscle, less fat). This is why there are often separate considerations for a BMR calculator female vs. BMR calculator male.
- Weight: Heavier individuals generally have a higher BMR.
- Height: Taller individuals (specifically, those with a larger body surface area) often have a higher BMR.
- Genetics: Genetic factors can influence your metabolic rate.
- Hormones: Certain hormones, like thyroid hormones, can significantly impact BMR.
- Diet: Severe calorie restriction or fasting can lower BMR over time.
- Climate: Living in very cold or very hot climates can slightly increase BMR as the body works to maintain temperature.
Our accurate BMR calculator uses the most reliable formulas, but keep these factors in mind.
It's important to distinguish BMR from TDEE. BMR is your calorie needs at complete rest. TDEE includes BMR plus calories burned through physical activity and the thermic effect of food (calories burned digesting food).
TDEE = BMR × Activity Factor (+ Thermic Effect of Food, sometimes included in activity factor)
Activity factors typically range from 1.2 (sedentary) to 1.9 (very active). Our BMR and TDEE calculator (if combined with activity input) would provide this. Currently, this tool focuses on being a precise resting metabolic rate calculator (RMR calculator is often used interchangeably with BMR calculator, though RMR is slightly different).
Disclaimer: This BMR calculator and the information provided are for educational purposes only and should not substitute professional medical or dietary advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Content last medically reviewed: October 26, 2023. Always consult your physician for medical advice.
Reviewed by Dr. Joshua Cassinat, MD, Board-Certified Physician
Last medically reviewed: October 26, 2023