Energy
Total daily energy expenditure
Multiplying the resting rate by an activity factor gives the energy actually burned in a day. The factor, not the formula, is usually where the error enters.
The Formula
TDEE = BMR x activity factor
Multiplying the resting rate by an activity factor gives the energy actually burned in a day. The factor, not the formula, is usually where the error enters.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF | Activity factor | dimensionless | 1.2 sedentary, 1.375 light, 1.55 moderate, 1.725 hard, 1.9 athlete. |
| TDEE | Daily energy expenditure | kcal per day | For the default case: 1978.5 sedentary, 2555.5625 moderate, 2844.09375 on hard exercise. |
What Each Symbol Means
AFdimensionless
Activity factor
1.2 sedentary, 1.375 light, 1.55 moderate, 1.725 hard, 1.9 athlete.
TDEEkcal per day
Daily energy expenditure
For the default case: 1978.5 sedentary, 2555.5625 moderate, 2844.09375 on hard exercise.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate bmr 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 BMR, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.