| Aspect | BMR Calculator | TDEE Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Calories burned at complete rest (coma baseline) | Total calories burned per day including all activity |
| Activity level included? | No — assumes zero physical activity | Yes — applies activity multiplier to BMR baseline |
| Use for calorie targets? | Never eat below your BMR without medical supervision | Base deficit or surplus targets off your TDEE |
| Formula base | Mifflin-St Jeor equation | BMR × Physical Activity Factor (1.2 to 1.9) |
BMR is your floor, TDEE is your daily burn
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) represents the absolute minimum energy your organs need to function at rest. Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) adds your daily movement and exercise to BMR. Always use TDEE, not BMR, when calculating calorie deficits for weight loss.