Eat Smarter, Not Smaller — Calculate Your Plate’s True Power
Counting calories shouldn’t feel like taking a college math exam. The form below lets you enter age, weight, height and daily activity once, then shows the exact number of calories (and macros, if you enable them later) you need to reach or maintain your goal weight—whether that means trimming a few kilos, fueling marathon training, or simply keeping energy steady all day.
Why bother counting?
Calories are units of energy, nothing more. Eat far above your daily burn and the surplus is stored for later; eat well below and you’ll soon feel sluggish and undersupplied. Aiming for the sweet spot helps you:
- Maintain a healthy weight without cutting favorite foods.
- Support muscle repair after workouts.
- Keep blood-sugar swings under control.
How to use this calculator
- Select units: Imperial or Metric.
- Enter age, weight, and height. The more accurate, the better.
- Choose your goal: maintain, lose, or gain weight.
- Pick activity level: Sedentary if you sit most of the day; Extra Active if you have a physically demanding job or train hard.
- Click Calculate to see your personalized daily calorie target.
That number isn’t a verdict—just a compass. Some days you’ll eat a little more, others a little less. What matters is the long-term average.
Need ideas?
- Seasonal swaps: Replace half the pasta with spiralized zucchini to knock off 100 kcal without shrinking the plate.
- Budget boosts: Compare calories and cost per serving using oats, beans, and in-season produce.
- Allergy filters: Use the search box in my recipe index to hide gluten, dairy, or nuts.
- Night-owl mode: Flip your device to dark theme for late-evening logging.
Remember: Food is fuel and joy. Use this calculator as a guide, then listen to your body’s own signals. Ready? Scroll down, fill in your details, and discover the power on your plate!