BMR Calculator
Estimate the calories your body burns at rest using your gender, age, height, and weight.
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BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
In today’s fitness world, term like BMR is common. Knowing your BMR helps you understand how many calories your body needs just to survive, even when you are not doing any physical activity.
Understanding BMR and How It Helps You
- In today’s fitness world, people often talk about metabolism — especially when trying to lose or manage weight.
- Common terms include BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), and RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate).
- Knowing your BMR helps you understand how many calories your body needs just to survive — even when you’re not doing any physical activity.
What Exactly Is BMR?
- BMR stands for Basal Metabolic Rate.
- It’s the number of calories your body burns to perform basic functions like breathing, maintaining body temperature, and pumping blood — all while you’re at complete rest.
- Think of it as the “idle mode” of your body’s engine — just enough energy to keep your system running.
- BMR usually makes up 60–70% of your total daily calorie burn.
- For most people, this equals about 1000–2000 kilocalories per day, depending on factors like age, gender, and body composition.
- BMIB
How BMR and Body Composition Are Linked
- Muscle burns more calories than fat, even when you’re resting.
- So, more lean muscle = higher BMR.
- People with more muscle generally have better glucose metabolism (meaning better blood sugar control).
- A lower BMR is often linked to higher body fat and a greater risk of insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes, which are common health concerns in India today.
Is a Higher BMR Always Good?
- Not necessarily!
- A higher BMR can also be a sign of inflammation, thyroid problems (like hyperthyroidism), or other immune-related conditions.
- So while a strong metabolism is helpful, unusually high readings should be checked by a doctor.
How to Calculate BMR
The most accurate method is indirect calorimetry, where oxygen and carbon dioxide in your breath are measured to estimate energy use.
However, this test is available mostly in advanced labs or hospitals.
For home or gym use, there are popular BMR calculation formulas, such as:
- Mifflin-St Jeor Equation
- Katch-McArdle Formula
- Harris-Benedict Formula
These formulas use your height, weight, age, and gender to estimate your daily calorie needs.
Once you know your BMR, you can plan your diet and exercise routine more effectively — whether your goal is weight loss, maintenance, or muscle gain.
"Ideal" BMR: There's no single ideal BMR; it varies by age, gender, genetics, muscle mass, and body size.
- Averages: Average BMRs are around 1400 calories for women and 1700 for men, but these are just estimates, say Cleveland Clinic and Integris Health.