Knowing how to calculate BMR is essential if you want to know how many calories you burn during your typical day. This allows you to track your daily calories, and know whether you’re at a surplus or deficit based on your calorie intake. Knowing these numbers is the key to controlling your weight!
Many so-called experts say don’t count calories, but that is really not good advice for most people. For long-term, successful weight control it is always best to have some idea of the calories you are burning versus the calories you are consuming in your daily life.
And it’s a lot easier than most people realize! After a week of getting familiar with these numbers, it becomes second nature. And knowing your personal, BMR is the starting point.
What is BMR?
Your BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the number of calories that you burn in your typical day. It is the basal, or basic, number of calories that your body burns in the course of your day. It is generally used interchangeably with resting metabolic rate.
So when you calculate your BMR below, think of it as the number of calories that you burn in a typical day of your life.
Your BMR is very valuable information, as it is your guide to maintaining, gaining, or losing weight based on your calorie intake.
Maintain Weight
Calories consumed = Calories burned
Lose Weight
Calories consumed is less than Calories burned
Gain Weight
Calories consumed is more than Calories burned
The BMR Calculator
The calculator below is very accurate for most people. And even if you have a unique body type, it will still get you close enough to provide valuable info.
We recommend the Mifflin St. Jeor formula, which was introduced in 1990. It is the more accurate calculation, and will give you a clear picture of your BMR. (1)
Calculate your BMR, or basal metabolic rate:
- Select Imperial below in the U.S., and Metric most other places
- Enter Age, Weight, Height
(enter Height in inches > example: 5′ 8″ = 68″ / 5′ 2″ = 62″ / 6′ 2″ = 74″) - Enter your Activity Level in a typical week for you
- Leave the formula as default: Mifflin St. Jeor
What to Do With Your BMR Calculation?
By knowing your basal metabolic rate, and how to calculate it, you have vital information related to the calories in your daily life. So if your BMR is 2,500 calories per day, then you know on most days you need to eat around 2,500 calories in a day to maintain your weight.
- If your goal is weight gain, then you need to consume more than 2,500 calories on most days.
- If your goal is weight loss, then you need to consume less than 2,500 calories per day.
The key is to understand the concept of “most days.” Everyone will have cheat days, but if you stay generally consistent in your daily life, then you will achieve your weight loss or weight gain goals. And click to see how many calories you burn with different activities.
Click to learn the power of counting calories, and how this can you control your weight journey.
Learn more now about the body fat calculator.
David Williams
A diet and fitness enthusiast, David is an ex-Army Airborne Ranger and Infantry soldier with decades of fitness and wellness experience. A West Point graduate with a degree in engineering, he focuses on technical research related to fitness, nutrition, and wellness. He loves the beach and working out, and spending time with his wife and daughters.
References
- Mifflin-St Jeor equation. (n.d.).
https://reference.medscape.com/calculator/846/mifflin-st-jeor-equation
