To calculate your Calorie Budget for weight maintenance, we use Estimated Energy Requirements (EER) equations provided by the Institute of Medicine.
If you've seen a different number in another app, website, or device, please note that different platforms may use different methods for estimating calorie needs.
In particular, some tools calculate only Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) — the number of calories your body needs at complete rest (i.e., lying in bed all day).
In contrast, our estimate includes typical daily activities, such as light movement, household tasks, or desk job activities, depending on your selected activity level.
For example, a BMR estimate of 1,500 calories may appear lower than our sedentary Calorie Budget — but that’s because they are not equivalent: BMR reflects total rest, while our budget reflects real-life energy needs.
To learn how to change the default energy calculation method from EER to BMR, RMR, or a custom value, see this support article: How to Change Energy Calculation Method