Health & Fitness · Glossary
What is TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)?
Quick definition
The total calories your body burns in a day, including all activity. The basis for diet planning.
Full explanation
TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) is BMR multiplied by an activity factor: 1.2 (sedentary), 1.375 (light), 1.55 (moderate), 1.725 (active), 1.9 (very active). It represents the actual calories you burn in 24 hours. To lose weight, eat below TDEE (a deficit). To gain, eat above (a surplus). A 500 kcal/day deficit yields ~1 lb/week of fat loss. TDEE varies daily based on activity, so the calculation is an estimate. Tracking food intake and weight changes over 2–4 weeks is more accurate than any calculator. TDEE assumes healthy thyroid function; medical conditions can significantly alter it.
Related calculators
Calculators that use or explain TDEE.
Related terms
More from Health & Fitness
BMI (Body Mass Index)
A numerical value calculated from weight and height that classifies adults as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.
BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
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Macronutrients
The three main nutrient groups the body needs in large quantities: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The "macros."
Body Fat Percentage
The proportion of total body mass that is fat. A more accurate health metric than BMI for body composition.
VO2 Max
The maximum rate of oxygen your body can use during exercise, measured in mL/kg/min. A key fitness metric.
Heart Rate Variability
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Last reviewed: June 15, 2026 • Category: Health & Fitness