Exercise Calorie Burn Calculator

Estimate workout calories from activity intensity, body weight, duration, and optional distance.

Workout Details

Enter body weight, activity, duration, and optional distance to estimate exercise calories.

Unit System
lb
min

Used only to calculate pace.

mi

Estimate Context

MET calculations are useful for comparing workouts, but they are not a lab measurement.

The calculator uses the standard formula: MET value multiplied by body weight in kilograms and workout duration in hours. Actual burn varies with intensity, terrain, efficiency, and training status.

Your Exercise Burn Estimate

Estimated calories, selected MET value, duration, and pace context.

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Calories Burned
MET x kg x hours
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MET Value
Selected activity intensity
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Duration
Workout time
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Pace
From optional distance

Calculation Inputs

The estimate uses your selected activity and normalized metric weight.

Formula: MET x kg x hours
Activity
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Weight Used
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Distance
Optional

Food Energy References

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Workout Planning Context

Use this as an estimate for comparing activities and planning energy needs. For weight goals, pair it with your daily calorie target instead of treating exercise calories as exact.

How Exercise Calorie Burn Works

The estimate is based on MET intensity, body weight, and workout duration.

MET intensity

A MET value compares activity energy cost with resting energy use. Higher MET values represent harder activities.

Standard formula

Calories burned equals MET multiplied by body weight in kilograms and duration in hours.

Pace is optional

Distance does not change the calorie formula here. It adds pace context when you want to compare runs, rides, or walks.

Common Activity MET Values

Reference values used by the calculator for common workouts.

Running (6 mph)
9.8 MET
Running (8 mph)
11.8 MET
Cycling (moderate)
6.8 MET
Cycling (vigorous)
10 MET
Swimming (moderate)
5.8 MET
Swimming (vigorous)
9.8 MET
Walking (3.5 mph)
4.3 MET
Walking (4.5 mph)
6.3 MET
Jump rope
12.3 MET
Rebounding
4.6 MET
Weight lifting
3 MET
Yoga
2.5 MET
Dancing
4.8 MET
Basketball
6.5 MET
Tennis
7.3 MET
Soccer
7 MET

Exercise Calorie Burn FAQ

Common questions about workout calorie estimates.

How accurate is an exercise calorie estimate?

It is a planning estimate. MET tables use population averages, so real burn can differ with fitness level, terrain, technique, body composition, and effort.

What does MET mean?

MET means metabolic equivalent of task. A 6 MET activity uses roughly six times the energy of resting quietly.

Should I eat back every exercise calorie?

Not automatically. Treat exercise calories as context, then adjust based on appetite, recovery, weight trend, and your daily calorie target.