What Does TDEE Mean?
A clear definition of Total Daily Energy Expenditure and how it connects to maintenance calories.
Last updated: January 2026
What does TDEE mean? This is a common question for anyone using a TDEE calculator or trying to understand how daily calorie needs are estimated.
TDEE stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure, which is the total number of calories your body burns in a day when rest, daily movement, digestion, and exercise are all included. It is calculated by first estimating your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and then multiplying it by an activity factor that reflects how active you are. Knowing your TDEE tells you roughly how many calories you can eat to maintain your current weight. If you consistently eat above your TDEE you will tend to gain weight, while eating below it over time can lead to weight loss, assuming other factors stay similar.