Running Calorie Burn Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the running calorie burn calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Running Calorie Burn Calculator

Formulas Used

Calories Burned

calories_burned = speed_mph * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200 * duration_min

Calories per Minute

cal_per_minute = speed_mph * 3.5 * weight_kg / 200

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
weight_lbsBody Weight(lbs)170
speed_mphRunning Speed(mph)8.3
duration_minDuration(minutes)30
weight_kgDerived value= weight_lbs * 0.453592calculated

How It Works

Running Calorie Burn (MET Method)

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

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values for running increase with speed. A MET of 1 represents resting energy expenditure.

Running MET Values

| Speed | MET | |---|---| | 5 mph (12 min/mi) | 8.3 | | 6 mph (10 min/mi) | 9.8 | | 7 mph (8.5 min/mi) | 11.0 | | 8 mph (7.5 min/mi) | 11.8 |

Worked Example

A 170 lb person running at 6 mph for 30 minutes.

weight_lbs = 170speed_mph = 8.3duration_min = 30
  1. 01Weight in kg = 170 x 0.4536 = 77.1 kg
  2. 02Calories = 8.3 x 3.5 x 77.1 / 200 x 30
  3. 03= 8.3 x 3.5 x 77.1 / 200 x 30 = 336 kcal

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