Katch-McArdle Calculator: calculate your estimated basal metabolic rate using your body weight and body fat percentage. The Katch-McArdle equation uses lean body mass to estimate how much energy your body uses at rest each day.
Medical Disclaimer: The calculator results and information provided in this article are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical, health, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions related to your health, diet, or fitness goals. Individual results may vary, and this tool should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
What Is the Katch-McArdle Calculator?
The Katch-McArdle Calculator estimates your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, using your lean body mass. It uses your body weight and body fat percentage to estimate how much of your body weight is fat-free. This makes it different from equations that calculate BMR primarily from total body weight, age, sex, and height.
What Is the Katch-McArdle Equation?
The Katch-McArdle equation is BMR = 370 + (21.6 × lean body mass in kg). The first step is to calculate lean body mass from your body weight and body fat percentage, then use that value in the BMR equation. The final result estimates your resting energy expenditure in calories per day.
How Does Katch-McArdle Calculate BMR?
The calculation first determines lean body mass using body weight × (1 − body fat percentage / 100). The resulting lean body mass is then multiplied by 21.6, and 370 is added to the result. For example, someone weighing 80 kg with 20% body fat has an estimated lean body mass of 64 kg and a calculated BMR of 1,752 kcal per day.
Why Does Katch-McArdle Use Lean Body Mass?
Total body weight alone does not tell you how much metabolically active tissue you have. Lean body mass accounts for the portion of your body weight that is not body fat, which is why it forms the basis of this equation. This can make Katch-McArdle particularly useful when body-fat percentage varies substantially between individuals at the same body weight.
How Can You Use Katch-McArdle BMR for Fat Loss?
Your Katch-McArdle BMR is not the same as the number of calories you burn throughout an entire day. Your total daily energy expenditure also includes movement, exercise, and the energy required to digest food. For fat loss, BMR can therefore serve as one input when estimating your total daily calorie needs and establishing an appropriate calorie deficit.
How Accurate Is the Katch-McArdle Calculator?
Katch-McArdle is an estimation equation rather than a direct measurement of metabolic rate. The accuracy of the result depends heavily on the accuracy of your body fat percentage because that value is used to calculate lean body mass. The result is best treated as a useful starting estimate rather than an exact measurement of your individual BMR.

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