Fitness
The quick approximation
One MET costs roughly one calorie per kilogram per hour, good enough for a mental estimate.
The Formula
kcal is about MET x weight x hours
One MET costs roughly one calorie per kilogram per hour, good enough for a mental estimate.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| kcal | Total calories | kilocalories | An approximate energy cost. |
| h | Duration | hours | The session length in hours. |
| m | Body mass | kilograms | Body weight in kilograms. |
What Each Symbol Means
kcalkilocalories
Total calories
An approximate energy cost.
hhours
Duration
The session length in hours.
mkilograms
Body mass
Body weight in kilograms.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate calories burned page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Calories Burned, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.