BMR Calculator for Women
Enter your age, height and weight to estimate how many calories your body uses at rest each day.
This calculator gives general estimates for information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation with a doctor or other qualified health professional.
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The formula
Mifflin-St Jeor for women: BMR = 10 x kg + 6.25 x cm - 5 x age - 161.
Why women's BMR is usually lower
On average women have a smaller body and less muscle than men of the same age, so they burn fewer calories at rest. The formula reflects that with the -161 adjustment instead of +5.
What can change it
- Muscle: strength training raises BMR because muscle uses more energy than fat.
- Age: BMR tends to fall a little each decade.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: both raise energy needs, so the standard formula underestimates them.
- Thyroid conditions: these can raise or lower BMR. Ask your doctor if you suspect one.
Example
A 30 year old woman who is 165 cm and 65 kg: 10 x 65 + 6.25 x 165 - 5 x 30 - 161 = 650 + 1031 - 150 - 161 = 1,370 calories a day at rest.
A sensible minimum
Health authorities generally advise women not to eat below about 1,200 calories a day without medical supervision. Our calorie tools stop at that floor.
Examples to check
Type these into the calculator above to see how it behaves. Every result below was produced by the same calculator code that runs on this page.
| What you enter | What you get |
|---|---|
| Male; Age (years): 30; Height (cm): 180; Weight (kg): 80 | BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor): 1,780 kcal/day |
| Female; Age (years): 30; Height (cm): 165; Weight (kg): 65 | BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor): 1,370 kcal/day |
| Female; Age (years): 45; Height (cm): 160; Weight (kg): 70 | BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor): 1,314 kcal/day |
| Male; Age (years): 55; Height (cm): 175; Weight (kg): 90 | BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor): 1,724 kcal/day |
BMR Calculator for Women: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BMR and TDEE?
BMR is what you would burn lying in bed all day. TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) adds movement and exercise on top. Use BMR as the floor and TDEE for planning how much to eat.
Which BMR formula is most accurate?
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation is the one most dietitians use, and studies find it closest on average. Katch-McArdle is better if you know your body fat percentage, because it uses lean mass.
Can I rely on this result as medical advice?
No. It is a general estimate for information only. It cannot replace a check-up, and your doctor can interpret the numbers for your own situation.
Is what I enter in this calculator saved or sent anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser, so what you enter is not sent to our servers. We only count, anonymously, whether a tool ran successfully.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and has no usage limit.
Last reviewed: October 3, 2026