A worked example
A 30-year-old male at 170 lb, 5'9", with moderate activity (exercising 3-5 days a week) has an estimated TDEE of about 2,668 calories a day.
Frequently asked questions
How is TDEE different from BMR?
BMR is resting calorie burn alone. TDEE adds your activity level on top — it's the more practical number, since it actually reflects your real day-to-day energy needs rather than a hypothetical resting state.
Should I eat exactly at my TDEE?
Eating at TDEE maintains your current weight. Eating below it creates the deficit needed for weight loss, and above it creates the surplus needed for weight gain — see the Calorie Calculator for ready-made cut/maintain/gain targets.
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice.