METs Activity Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the mets activity calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the METs Activity Calculator

Formulas Used

Calories Burned

calories_burned = met_value * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200 * duration_min

Calories per Hour

cal_per_hour = met_value * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200 * 60

Oxygen Consumption

oxygen_consumption = met_value * 3.5

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
weight_lbsBody Weight(lbs)170
met_valueActivity MET Value(METs)5
duration_minDuration(minutes)30
weight_kgDerived value= weight_lbs * 0.453592calculated

How It Works

MET Calorie Burn Formula

Calories = MET x 3.5 x Weight(kg) / 200 x Duration(min)

One MET equals 3.5 mL of oxygen per kg of body weight per minute, which is the resting metabolic rate.

Common MET Values

| Activity | MET | |---|---| | Walking (3 mph) | 3.5 | | Yoga | 3.0 | | Tennis | 7.3 | | Basketball | 6.5 | | Jump rope | 12.3 |

Worked Example

A 170 lb person doing an activity at MET 5.0 for 30 minutes.

weight_lbs = 170met_value = 5duration_min = 30
  1. 01Weight = 77.1 kg
  2. 02Calories = 5.0 x 3.5 x 77.1 / 200 x 30
  3. 03= 5.0 x 3.5 x 77.1 / 200 x 30 = 203 kcal

Ready to run the numbers?

Open METs Activity Calculator