Calories Burned Calculator - Calculate Calories Burned by Activity & Exercise

A calories burned calculator helps you estimate how many calories you burn during various physical activities. This calculator uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values, which represent the energy cost of activities relative to your resting metabolic rate.

How to Use the Calories Burned Calculator

Enter Your Weight: Enter your weight in pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg).
Select Activity: Choose from a list of common activities like running, cycling, walking, swimming, yoga, weightlifting, aerobics, or dancing.
Enter Duration: Enter the time spent on the activity in minutes.
Optional - Custom MET Value: If you know the specific MET value for your activity, you can enter it to override the default value.
Click Calculate: Get the total calories burned and calories burned per minute.

Understanding MET Values

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) is a unit that measures the intensity of physical activities. One MET is equal to the energy expended while sitting quietly, which is approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute.

1 MET: Resting metabolic rate
3-6 METs: Moderate intensity activities (walking, yoga)
6-9 METs: Vigorous intensity activities (running, cycling)
9+ METs: Very high intensity activities (sprinting, competitive sports)

Activity MET Values

The calculator uses standard MET values for common activities:

Running (6 mph): 9.8 METs
Cycling (moderate): 8.0 METs
Walking (3 mph): 3.3 METs
Swimming: 6.0 METs
Yoga: 2.5 METs
Weightlifting: 3.5 METs
Aerobics: 6.0 METs
Dancing: 5.0 METs

How Calories Are Calculated

The formula used is based on the standard MET calculation:

Calories per minute = (MET × 3.5 × weight in kg) / 200

Total calories = Calories per minute × duration in minutes

This formula accounts for your body weight, the intensity of the activity (MET value), and the duration of the activity.

Factors Affecting Calories Burned

Body Weight: Heavier individuals burn more calories for the same activity
Activity Intensity: Higher intensity activities burn more calories per minute
Duration: Longer activities result in more total calories burned
Individual Factors: Age, fitness level, muscle mass, and metabolism can affect actual calories burned

Important Notes

These calculations provide estimates based on average MET values. Actual calories burned may vary based on individual factors such as fitness level, body composition, age, and the specific intensity of your activity. For more accurate tracking, consider using a heart rate monitor or fitness tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the calories burned calculator?

The calculator provides estimates based on standard MET values and your body weight. Actual calories burned can vary based on individual factors like fitness level, age, body composition, and the specific intensity of your activity. For more accurate measurements, consider using a heart rate monitor or fitness tracker.

What is a MET value?

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) is a unit that measures the intensity of physical activities. One MET equals the energy expended while sitting quietly. Activities are rated in multiples of this baseline. For example, running at 6 mph has a MET value of 9.8, meaning it requires 9.8 times the energy of resting.

Can I use a custom MET value?

Yes, you can enter a custom MET value if you know the specific MET value for your activity. This is useful for activities not listed in the dropdown or for more precise calculations based on research data. The custom MET value will override the selected activity's default MET value.

Why do heavier people burn more calories?

Heavier individuals burn more calories because they have more body mass to move, requiring more energy. The calculation accounts for weight in kilograms, so the same activity performed by a heavier person will result in more calories burned than the same activity performed by a lighter person.

Calories Burned Calculator - Free Calorie Burn Calculator Online