BMR Calculator
Calculate Basal Metabolic Rate and daily calorie needs
Understanding BMR
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) represents the minimum energy your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions at rest. This includes breathing, circulation, cell production, nutrient processing, and protein synthesis. BMR accounts for 60-75% of total daily energy expenditure in sedentary individuals.
BMR Calculation Methods
- Mifflin-St Jeor Equation: Most accurate for general population (used by our calculator)
- Harris-Benedict Equation: Traditional method, slightly less accurate
- Katch-McArdle Formula: Best for lean individuals with known body fat percentage
- Activity Multipliers: Convert BMR to Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
Our BMR calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which is considered the most accurate for the general population. The formula accounts for age, gender, weight, and height to provide personalized metabolic rate estimates.
🏥 Health Guidance
Burn vite offers general health tools for personal insight only. Our BMR calculator results are estimates based on established formulas, not professional medical advice. We encourage you to consult with qualified healthcare professionals, registered dietitians, or certified fitness trainers for personalized guidance tailored to your unique health needs. Updated 28 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is the energy your body needs at complete rest, while TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) includes BMR plus calories burned through activity. Our BMR calculator provides both values - use BMR for metabolic insights and TDEE for daily calorie planning.
Our BMR calculator provides estimates within 10-15% accuracy for most people. Individual variations exist due to genetics, muscle mass, and metabolic health. For weight loss, use BMR results with our calorie deficit calculator to create sustainable eating plans that don't compromise metabolic health.
Yes! Build muscle mass through strength training, stay hydrated, eat adequate protein, get quality sleep, and avoid extreme calorie restriction. Use our protein intake calculator to ensure adequate protein for muscle maintenance, which directly supports higher BMR.
BMR typically decreases 1-2% per decade after age 30 due to muscle mass loss and hormonal changes. Our BMR calculator accounts for age-related metabolic changes. Combat age-related BMR decline through regular strength training and adequate protein intake.
Generally no - eating below BMR can slow metabolism and cause muscle loss. Instead, eat at or slightly above BMR and create deficits through activity. Use our TDEE calculator to find your total daily needs, then create a moderate deficit from that number for sustainable weight loss.
Use your TDEE (BMR × activity level) as your daily calorie target. Distribute these calories using our macro split calculator for optimal nutrition. For weight loss, subtract 300-500 calories from TDEE; for weight gain, add 300-500 calories to support your goals.
Genetics, muscle mass, thyroid function, medications, previous dieting history, and body composition all influence actual BMR. Our calculator provides population averages. If results seem inconsistent with your experience, consider metabolic testing or consulting healthcare professionals.
Recalculate BMR when you lose or gain 10+ pounds, change activity levels significantly, or every 6 months during active weight management. Use our lean mass calculator alongside BMR tracking to ensure you're maintaining muscle mass during weight changes.
Absolutely! For muscle building, eat 300-500 calories above your TDEE and ensure adequate protein intake. Use our protein intake calculator to determine optimal protein needs, and combine with our workout calories calculator to account for training energy demands.
BMR is measured under strict laboratory conditions after 12+ hours of fasting and rest. RMR is measured under less restrictive conditions and is typically 10-15% higher than BMR. Our BMR calculator provides BMR estimates, which are more conservative for calorie planning.
Learn More About Metabolism
📖 How to Use burn vite Calculators to Plan a Week of Healthy Meals
Learn how to combine BMR, TDEE, and macro calculators to create the perfect meal plan for your goals.
📖 Body Fat vs Lean Body Mass – What's the Difference?
Understanding body composition helps optimize your metabolic rate and calorie needs for better results.
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