Cutting Calculator

Calculate daily cutting calories and protein, fat, and carbohydrate targets from your maintenance intake or an estimated TDEE. Results update instantly as you change an input.

Estimate your maintenance

Includes your usual exercise. Do not add exercise calories again.

Choose 5–25% below maintenance. The 15% default is an adjustable starting point.

Adjust macro targets

Uses kg internally, including when bodyweight is entered in pounds.

Carbohydrates use the calories left after protein and fat.

For adults aged 18 and over. Results update as you change the inputs.

Enable JavaScript to calculate targets. The method and guidance below remain available.

Method and limitations

Cutting targets start with maintenance calories. Enter a maintenance intake you have observed at a stable bodyweight, or estimate it using Mifflin–St Jeor: resting energy = 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) − 5 × age + 5 for the male equation, or −161 for the female equation. Multiply resting energy by the selected activity factor to estimate maintenance.

Target calories = maintenance × (1 − deficit percentage ÷ 100). Protein = bodyweight in kg × the chosen g/kg target. Fat grams = target calories × fat percentage ÷ 100 ÷ 9. Carbohydrate grams = (target calories − 4 × protein grams − 9 × fat grams) ÷ 4. Calculations use full precision; displayed calories and grams are rounded independently.

Using your cutting targets

A moderate deficit supports weight loss. Continue resistance training and adequate protein to support lean-mass retention; scale changes also include water and glycogen, not just body fat. Track a consistent 7-day average of morning bodyweight and review it alongside average intake over 2–4 weeks. Adjust gradually rather than reacting to a single weigh-in.

Activity multipliers and calorie adjustments are planning assumptions, not measured energy expenditure. The calculator does not predict an exact weekly change or completion date. These adult estimates are not designed for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or individualized medical nutrition needs.

Sources

These estimates are educational, not medical advice or a substitute for direct testing by a qualified professional. Prediction error and individual variation are expected.

Related calculators

Bulking Calculator · TDEE Calculator · Macro Calculator · Protein Calculator