1. What is TDEE?

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) represents the total number of calories your body burns in a day, including basal metabolic rate (BMR) and calories burned through physical activity. It's the most accurate way to determine your daily calorie needs for weight maintenance, loss, or gain.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation with activity factor:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms (kg)
• \( height \) — Height in centimeters (cm)
• \( age \) — Age in years
• \( activity\ factor \) — Multiplier based on activity level (1.2-1.9)

Explanation: This equation calculates your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and then multiplies it by an activity factor to estimate your total daily energy expenditure.

3. Importance of TDEE Calculation

Details: Knowing your TDEE is essential for effective weight management. It helps determine appropriate calorie intake for weight loss (deficit), weight gain (surplus), or weight maintenance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your current weight in kg, height in cm, age in years, and select your activity level based on your typical weekly exercise routine. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is this considered the most accurate TDEE calculator?
A: This calculator uses the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, which research has shown to be the most accurate for estimating BMR in most populations, combined with appropriate activity multipliers.

Q2: How often should I recalculate my TDEE?
A: Recalculate every 4-6 weeks or whenever your weight changes significantly (more than 2-3 kg) or your activity level changes substantially.

Q3: What if my activity level falls between two categories?
A: Choose the category that best matches your average weekly activity, or use a value between the two multipliers if you're consistently in between.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation for athletes?
A: While generally accurate, highly trained athletes may have different metabolic rates. For elite athletes, more specialized testing may provide better accuracy.

Q5: Should I eat exactly at my TDEE for maintenance?
A: Use your calculated TDEE as a starting point and adjust based on your actual weight changes over 2-3 weeks to find your true maintenance calories.