Harris-Benedict Calculator
Calculate Basal Metabolic Rate using the revised Harris-Benedict equation (Roza & Shizgal, 1984).
What is Harris-Benedict?
The Harris-Benedict equation, originally published in 1919 and revised by Roza & Shizgal in 1984, was the gold standard for BMR estimation for most of the 20th century. It still appears in many clinical references. In modern practice, Mifflin-St Jeor is slightly more accurate for the average healthy adult, but Harris-Benedict remains in widespread use.
How is it calculated?
Men: BMR = 88.362 + 13.397 × kg + 4.799 × cm − 5.677 × age. Women: BMR = 447.593 + 9.247 × kg + 3.098 × cm − 4.330 × age.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Harris-Benedict vs Mifflin-St Jeor?
- Mifflin-St Jeor is on average more accurate; Harris-Benedict is still acceptable.
- Should I use this for keto?
- Either works — multiply by activity factor for TDEE.
- Why two formulas?
- Different sample populations and statistical methods.