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Estimates basal metabolic rate using the Harris-Benedict equation.
Clinical decision-support tool for qualified healthcare professionals. Results are not a diagnosis and should not replace professional clinical judgment.
The Harris-Benedict equation remains a common tool for estimating energy expenditure.
Specialty
Internal MedicineCategory
Internal MedicineDifficulty
Basic
Estimated Time
30 seconds
Version
1.0
Last Updated
2026-07
Formula
Keywords
Normal Range
~1,400–2,000 kcal/day depending on body size
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
Adults | Varies by sex and body size |
Estimates basal metabolic rate (BMR) using the Harris-Benedict equation for nutritional assessment and calorie planning.
The revised Harris-Benedict equation estimates BMR: males 88.362 + 13.397 x weight + 4.799 x height - 5.677 x age; females 447.593 + 9.247 x weight + 3.098 x height - 4.33 x age, with weight in kg, height in cm, and age in years.
Biological sex, which selects the male or female equation constants.
Age in years, subtracted using the sex-specific age coefficient.
Weight in kilograms, multiplied by the sex-specific weight coefficient.
Height in centimeters, multiplied by the sex-specific height coefficient.
BMR is the energy expended at complete rest. Harris-Benedict (revised): male = 88.362 + 13.397 × weight + 4.799 × height − 5.677 × age; female = 447.593 + 9.247 × weight + 3.098 × height − 4.33 × age.
The Harris-Benedict equation is a historical cornerstone of energy estimation and remains a commonly used reference for baseline calorie planning.
A 40-year-old man weighs 80 kg, is 180 cm tall, and is sedentary.
Inputs:
Expected Result: BMR = 88.362 + 13.397 × 80 + 4.799 × 180 − 5.677 × 40 ≈ 1,796.9 kcal/day.
BMR is measured under strictly standardized resting conditions, while REE is measured under slightly less strict conditions. In practice the terms are often used interchangeably in equations.
Multiply BMR by an activity factor (e.g., 1.2 sedentary, 1.55 moderate activity, 1.725 very active) to estimate total daily energy expenditure.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for educational and clinical decision support purposes only. Energy estimates should be individualized and verified clinically.