How are calories burned calculated?
This calculator uses MET values (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). One MET is the energy you burn at rest. An activity with a MET of 8 burns roughly 8× the calories of sitting still. The formula is:
- Calories/min = MET × 3.5 × weight(kg) ÷ 200
So a heavier person burns more calories doing the same activity, and higher-intensity activities (higher MET) burn more per minute.
MET values of common activities
- Walking (5 km/h): 3.5 · Brisk walking: 5.0 · Hiking: 6.0
- Jogging: 7.0 · Running (9.5 km/h): 9.8 · HIIT: 9.0
- Cycling (moderate): 7.5 · Swimming: 8.0 · Jump rope: 12.3
Does this include my resting calories?
MET-based estimates include the calories you'd burn at rest during that time, so it's your total burn for the activity window.