Calorie Deficit Calculator For Weight Loss – Free Online

Calorie Deficit Calculator

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For general guidance only. Not medical advice.


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Key Terms

🛌 BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)

Calories you’d burn lying still for 24 hours.

🔄 TDEE

BMR plus daily movement, exercise, and everything else your body does.

Calorie deficit

TDEE minus the amount we remove to create fat loss.

🍗 Protein

Essential for muscle repair, recovery, and preserving lean mass during fat loss.

🥑 Fat

Supports hormones, brain function, and nutrient absorption. Crucial even in a deficit.

🍚 Carbohydrates

Primary fuel for training, movement, and mental focus. Adjust based on activity level.

Why this tool: lightning-fast, mobile-first UX, clear macro breakdown, copy/share results, and an embed option for blogs.
Our calorie deficit calculator shows your BMR, TDEE, and a safe daily target so you can lose weight sustainably. Unlike generic tools, this calorie deficit calculator also gives a simple macro breakdown you can follow right away.

How to use the Calorie Deficit Calculator

  1. Enter your age, sex, height, weight, and activity level.
  2. Pick a deficit (we recommend starting at 15%).
  3. Click Calculate to see Target Calories and macro targets (protein, fat, carbs).
  4. Copy or share the results; adjust the deficit if weight loss is too fast/slow.

Because it’s a free calorie deficit calculator, you can run it as often as you like—after weight changes, when activity goes up, or if you want to try a smaller/larger deficit.

Tip: Aim for a steady 0.25–0.75 kg/week (0.5–1.5 lb/week). Faster isn’t always better.

Calorie Deficit Calculator - Estimate your daily calorie gap

How it works (BMR → TDEE → Deficit → Macros)

BMR (Mifflin–St Jeor):

  • Male: BMR = 10×kg + 6.25×cm − 5×age + 5
  • Female: BMR = 10×kg + 6.25×cm − 5×age − 161

TDEE:

  •  TDEE = BMR × activity factor
  • Sedentary 1.2 · Light 1.375 · Moderate 1.55 · Active 1.725 · Very Active 1.9

Deficit:

  •  We start at 15% below TDEE (adjustable 10–30% with care).

Macros (defaults):

  • Protein 1.8 g/kg, Fat 0.8 g/kg, Carbs = remaining calories.

Note: These guidelines are for general information only and not medical advice.

Calculate TDEE before using the calorie deficit calculator

Which calorie deficit should I choose?

Pick the smallest deficit that still produces progress; it’s easier to stick to.

Deficit Typical pace* Best for Notes
10% ~0.25–0.5 kg/week Beginners, busy weeks Gentle, easier adherence
15% (recommended) ~0.5 kg/week Most people Balanced hunger vs. speed
20% ~0.5–0.75 kg/week Short phases Watch energy, recovery
25–30% up to ~1 kg/week Very short, supervised Higher hunger; performance may drop

*Estimates vary by body size, activity, and adherence.

If you’re unsure, start moderate. The best calorie deficit calculator is one you can follow consistently. If you feel drained, hungry, or your workouts suffer, reduce the deficit slightly and focus on sleep, steps, and protein.

Macro targets explained

  • Protein (1.6–2.2 g/kg; default 1.8 g/kg): preserves muscle and helps control hunger.
  • Fat (0.6–1.0 g/kg; default 0.8 g/kg): supports hormones and vitamin absorption.
  • Carbs: fill the remaining calories to fuel training and recovery.

set macros with a calorie deficit calculator

Macro quick table (examples)

Using defaults: protein 1.8 g/kg and fat 0.8 g/kg; carbs fill the rest of your target calories.

Body weight Protein (g) Fat (g) Notes
50 kg (7 st 12 lb) 90 40 Small framed, start at 10–15% deficit
60 kg (9 st 6 lb) 108 48 Popular starting point for women
70 kg (11 st 0 lb) 126 56 Balanced for general training
80 kg (12 st 8 lb) 144 64 Consider 15% deficit for adherence
90 kg (14 st 2 lb) 162 72 Monitor hunger and recovery

Step-by-step: Get your target calories

  • Calculate BMR with Mifflin–St Jeor.
  • Multiply by activity to get TDEE.
  • Choose your deficit (start at 15%).
  • Set macros: protein 1.8 g/kg, fat 0.8 g/kg, carbs = remaining calories.
  • Track 2–3 weeks; if weight isn’t trending down, increase activity slightly or nudge deficit to 20% for a short phase.

Worked examples

Example A (female)

  • 28 yrs · 65 kg · 165 cm · Light activity (1.375) · 15% deficit
  • BMR ≈ 1420 kcal → TDEE ≈ 1950 kcal → Target ≈ 1657 kcal/day
  • Macros: Protein 117 g, Fat 52 g, Carbs ~169 g (remainder)

Example B (male)

  • 35 yrs · 85 kg · 178 cm · Moderate activity (1.55) · 20% deficit
  • BMR ≈ 1780 kcal → TDEE ≈ 2760 kcal → Target ≈ 2208 kcal/day
  • Macros: Protein 153 g, Fat 68 g, Carbs ~235 g (remainder

Your numbers will differ—use the calculator above for precise results.

what is a calorie deficit - how to calculate it

What to do next (your 7-day plan)

  1. Run the calculator and write down your daily target.
  2. Set protein (~1.6–2.2 g/kg) and plan 3–4 anchor meals you enjoy.
  3. Aim for steps (e.g., 7–10k/day) and 2–3 short strength sessions/week.
  4. Track for one week—don’t chase perfection; focus on consistency.
  5. Re-check weight trend after 2–3 weeks (ignore daily ups/downs).
  6. Adjust 100–200 kcal if progress is too fast/slow or hunger is high.
  7. Repeat the cycle—small improvements win.

Frequently asked questions

A calorie deficit means eating fewer calories than you burn (your TDEE). Over time, this leads to weight loss.

A common range is 10–20% below TDEE. Larger deficits can increase hunger and reduce training performance.

About 0.25–0.75 kg (0.5–1.5 lb) per week is a reasonable pace. Actual results vary with adherence and activity.

Use TDEE. BMR is only your resting burn; TDEE includes activity.

Beginners or returning lifters sometimes can—with good protein and resistance training. Our calorie deficit for muscle gain calculator style guidance favors a small deficit.

Final word

There’s no magic. A smart, sustainable calorie deficit + simple habits = results you can keep. Use the calorie deficit calculator to lose weight as your guide, keep meals realistic, and give yourself time. You’ve got this.

Learn how a safe deficit works in the CDC’s Healthy Weight guide and check recommended activity levels from the WHO.