Calories Burned by Activity Calculator
Find out how many calories you burn during different physical activities. This calculator uses Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) values from the Compendium of Physical Activities to provide accurate calorie burn estimates based on your weight and exercise duration.
The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) is a standardized measure of the energy cost of physical activities. One MET equals the energy expenditure at rest, approximately 3.5 ml of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute. An activity with a MET value of 8 burns 8 times more calories than resting.
Calorie expenditure during exercise depends primarily on three factors: the intensity of the activity (MET value), your body weight, and the duration. Heavier individuals burn more calories performing the same activity because moving a larger body requires more energy. The formula used is: Calories = MET x weight (kg) x duration (hours).
Keep in mind that actual calorie burn can vary based on factors like fitness level, exercise intensity within the category, environmental conditions, and individual metabolism. These estimates provide a useful guideline for tracking energy expenditure and planning your nutrition around your activity level.