Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The basal metabolic rate is calculated according to equations given by Harris and Benedict.

For men: BMR = 13.75 weight(kg) + 5.003 height(cm) - 6.775 age + 66.5.
For women: BMR = 9.563 weight(kg) + 1.850 height(cm) - 4.676 age + 655.1.

Harris J, Benedict F. A biometric study of basal metabolism in man. Washington D.C. Carnegie Institute of Washington. 1919.

The basal metabolic rate is your energy expenditure without any contribution from exercise or digestion. Another term used is the resting energy expenditure (REE), which may also include energy used in digesting food.

Generally, it is inadvisable to ingest fewer calories than your basal metabolic rate. Note that BMR is given in kcals/day. The usual term of calories in food actually refers to kilocalories.

Thanks to Phil Weaver of Houghton, Cumbria, UK for alertly pointing out an error in an earlier version of this page. If you used the BMR calculation prior to January 31, 2005, you may want to redo the calculation.