How to Calculate Your TDEE for Weight Loss
To lose weight effectively, you need to eat fewer calories than your body burns. Your TDEE is exactly the number of calories you burn. By subtracting 300 to 500 calories from this number, you create a sustainable caloric deficit that leads to steady, healthy weight loss without starving.
Losing weight comes down to one simple rule: you need to eat fewer calories than your body burns. Your TDEE tells you exactly how many that is. Most people do well with a deficit of 300 to 500 calories per day, which translates to roughly half a kilogram of fat loss per week. Going much lower than that tends to backfire because your body starts conserving energy, you feel tired all the time, and cravings get harder to manage. A slow, steady approach protects your muscle mass and keeps your metabolism humming along. It also matters where your calories come from. Prioritise protein at every meal because it keeps you full longer and prevents muscle breakdown. Fill half your plate with vegetables, and don't fear healthy fats from nuts, avocado, or olive oil. Track your weight weekly rather than daily since normal fluctuations from water and digestion can be misleading.
- Start with a 300 calorie deficit for two weeks before going lower. This gives your body time to adapt without triggering strong hunger signals.
- Weigh yourself at the same time each morning and compare weekly averages. Daily weight can swing by up to 2 kg from water alone.
- Eat at least 1.6 g of protein per kilogram of body weight to preserve muscle while losing fat.
- If progress stalls for more than three weeks, recalculate your TDEE with your new weight rather than cutting calories further.
Dive Deeper
Explore our in-depth guides on this topic
How Many Calories Per Day to Lose Weight? The Honest Answer
How many calories you should eat per day to lose weight — with the formula, realistic examples for women and men, a table by activity level, and the most common mistakes that make diets fail.
BMR vs TDEE: What’s the Difference (And Which One Should You Use)?
BMR is the energy you burn at complete rest. TDEE is your real-world daily burn, including activity and digestion. Use TDEE to set goal calories; use BMR only as a component in the calculation.
How to Calculate Your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure)
A clear, step-by-step guide to calculate your TDEE correctly using Mifflin–St Jeor and activity factors, plus common mistakes to avoid.