Are maintenance calories and TDEE the same?

Yes, they describe the same number. TDEE is the physiological term; maintenance calories is how it is used in practice.

Why does my weight change while eating at maintenance?

Short-term shifts of 2-4 lb from water, sodium, carbohydrate and digestive contents are normal. Look at weekly averages instead.

Do maintenance calories go down with age?

Gradually, mostly because lean mass and activity tend to decline rather than because of age itself.

How do I find my true maintenance?

Eat at the estimated figure for two to three weeks, weigh yourself under the same conditions, and adjust by 100-150 calories if the trend moves.

Maintenance Calorie Calculator

Estimate the calories that keep your weight stable, with a realistic working range.

Enter your details and your result will appear here.

What Is Maintenance Calorie?

Maintenance calories are the intake that keeps your body weight steady over time. Knowing the number gives you the reference point every other goal is set against, whether you plan to lose, hold or gain.

Understanding Your Maintenance Calorie Result

Maintenance is the same quantity as total daily energy expenditure, viewed from the intake side. It moves with your training, your job, your sleep and your body weight, which is why it is better treated as a band than a fixed figure. The calculator shows a plus or minus 5% range because that is roughly the accuracy of the underlying equation.

How Is Maintenance Calorie Calculated?

Maintenance calories = BMR x activity factor

Methodology

Mifflin-St Jeor gives the basal rate, which is multiplied by an activity factor from 1.2 to 1.9. The result is expressed per day and per week, along with the share of your total that comes from resting metabolism.

Worked Example

A 45-year-old man who is 5 ft 9 in and 185 lb with a desk job (factor 1.2) has a BMR of about 1,753 calories and maintenance of about 2,104 calories a day, or 14,728 a week. His working range is roughly 1,999-2,209 calories.

Important Limitations

No equation can capture individual metabolic variation, so the honest test is your own weight trend across two to three weeks at a consistent intake. Underreporting of food intake is common and will make a correct estimate look wrong. Recalculate after significant weight change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are maintenance calories and TDEE the same?: Yes, they describe the same number. TDEE is the physiological term; maintenance calories is how it is used in practice.
Why does my weight change while eating at maintenance?: Short-term shifts of 2-4 lb from water, sodium, carbohydrate and digestive contents are normal. Look at weekly averages instead.
Do maintenance calories go down with age?: Gradually, mostly because lean mass and activity tend to decline rather than because of age itself.
How do I find my true maintenance?: Eat at the estimated figure for two to three weeks, weigh yourself under the same conditions, and adjust by 100-150 calories if the trend moves.