The Calculation

• 1). Step on the scale to get your weight.
  
  
• 2). Convert your weight to kilograms, using an online converter (see Resources).
  
  
• 3). Multiply your weight, in kilograms, by ten.
  
  
• 4). Convert your height, in inches, to centimeters, using an online converter (see Resources).
  
  
• 5). Multiply your height in centimeters by 6.25.
  
  
• 6). Add the sum of Step 3 to the sum of Step 5.
  
  
• 7). Multiply your age in years by 5.
  
  
• 8). Subtract this number from the sum in Step 6.
  
  
• 9). Subtract 161 from the remainder in Step 8 and you have your daily caloric needs. This is the number of calories your body burns during a normal day.
  
  

Example of 150 Pound Woman

• 1). Use as an example a 5-foot-5-inch tall, 25-year-old woman who weighs 150 pounds. Multiply her weight, in kilograms, by 10:
  
  68.03 x 10 = 680.3
  
  
• 2). Multiply her height, in centimeters, by 6.25:
  
  165.1 x 6.25 = 1,031.875
  
  
• 3). Add the result in Step 1 to the result in Step 2:
  
  680.3 + 1,031.875 = 1,712.175
  
  
• 4). Multiply her age times 5, then subtract that number from the result in Step 3:
  
  25 x 5 = 125
  
  1,712.175 - 125 = 1,587.175
  
  
• 5). Subtract an additional 161 from the sum in Step 4 to get her basic daily calorie need:
  
  1,587.175 - 161 = 1,426.175 calories