DefinitionThe Mifflin-St Jeor equation estimates basal metabolic rate from weight, height, age and sex, and is widely used in modern calorie calculators.
What it means
Published in 1990, it uses metric units:
- Men: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) - 5 x age (years) + 5
- Women: 10 x weight (kg) + 6.25 x height (cm) - 5 x age (years) - 161
In comparisons against measured metabolism, it has often been among the more accurate prediction equations for adults, including adults with obesity. It still misses for many individuals by 10% or more.
It does not know your body composition. Two people of the same weight, one muscular and one not, get the same result.
To use it in US units, convert pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2046 and inches to centimeters by multiplying by 2.54. The calculator does this for you.
Why it matters
It is the default formula behind Sunny Weigh's BMR and TDEE calculators.