Cycling Calorie Calculator
Estimate how many calories you burn cycling based on your weight, distance, speed, and duration. This calculator uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values to provide accurate calorie expenditure estimates for different cycling intensities.
Calories Burned: 0
| Activity Duration | - |
|---|---|
| Average Speed | - |
| Calories per Hour | - |
| Intensity Level | - |
Cycling Intensity Levels
| Intensity | Speed (mph) | MET Value | Calories/Hour (150 lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leisurely | <10 mph | 4.0 | 272 |
| Light | 10-12 mph | 6.0 | 408 |
| Moderate | 12-14 mph | 8.0 | 544 |
| Vigorous | 14-16 mph | 10.0 | 680 |
| Racing | 16+ mph | 12.0 | 816 |
About Cycling Calorie Calculation
Cycling is an excellent form of exercise that can help you burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and build endurance. The number of calories you burn while cycling depends on several factors including your weight, the distance you cycle, your speed, and the intensity of your ride.
How Calories Are Calculated
This calculator uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values to estimate calorie expenditure. One MET is defined as the energy it takes to sit quietly. For the average adult, this is about 1 calorie per 2.2 pounds of body weight per hour. More intense activities have higher MET values.
The formula used is:
Calories Burned = MET × Weight in kg × Time in hours
Factors Affecting Calorie Burn
- Weight: Heavier individuals burn more calories because it takes more energy to move a larger body mass.
- Speed/Intensity: Faster cycling burns more calories per minute than slower cycling.
- Terrain: Cycling uphill or on rough terrain burns more calories than cycling on flat, smooth surfaces.
- Bike Type: Road bikes are more efficient than mountain bikes, so you may burn fewer calories on a road bike at the same speed.
- Wind Resistance: Cycling against the wind increases calorie expenditure.
Using This Calculator
To get the most accurate estimate:
- Enter your weight in your preferred unit (pounds, kilograms, or stone and pounds).
- Enter the distance you cycled or plan to cycle.
- Enter either the duration of your ride or your average speed.
- Click "Calculate" to see your results.
Interpreting Your Results
The calculator provides:
- Total calories burned: The estimated total calories burned during your ride.
- Activity duration: The time taken to complete your ride (calculated if you entered speed and distance).
- Average speed: Your speed in miles per hour (calculated if you entered duration and distance).
- Calories per hour: Your calorie burn rate per hour of cycling.
- Intensity level: Classification of your ride based on speed (leisurely, light, moderate, vigorous, or racing).