Calories Burned Cycling Calculator
Calculate calories burned cycling from weight, duration, and intensity (MET).
How to use this tool
- Enter body weight, duration and intensity in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your calories burned and the full breakdown beneath it.
Calories burned cycling = MET × body weight (kg) × duration (hours). MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values are sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. For education only — actual burn varies with terrain, fitness, and equipment.
Formula
Calories burned (kcal) = MET × body weight (kg) × duration (hours)
Where duration (hours) = minutes ÷ 60, and MET is the Metabolic Equivalent of Task for the chosen cycling intensity.
How it works
This calculator uses the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method, in which a MET value represents a multiple of resting metabolic rate. Multiplying MET by body weight in kilograms and duration in hours gives an estimate of gross energy expenditure in kilocalories, based on the convention that 1 MET corresponds to roughly 1 kcal per kg per hour.
The estimate assumes a standard resting metabolic rate and does not account for individual fitness level, riding terrain, drafting, or equipment; actual calorie expenditure may differ by 10–20%.
Worked example
Worked example
- A 70 kg cyclist rides for 60 minutes at a MET of 8.0 (vigorous cycling).
- Convert duration: 60 min ÷ 60 = 1 hour.
- Apply formula: 8.0 × 70 kg × 1 h = 560 kcal.
Calories burned = 560 kcal
Key terms
- MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task)
- A unit expressing the energy cost of a physical activity as a multiple of the resting metabolic rate. Sitting quietly = 1 MET; vigorous cycling ≈ 8 MET.
- Gross energy expenditure
- Total calories burned during an activity, including the calories that would have been burned at rest; differs from net expenditure, which subtracts resting metabolism.
- Resting metabolic rate (RMR)
- The energy used by the body at complete rest to maintain basic physiological functions, typically around 1 kcal per kg per hour.
- Kilocalorie (kcal)
- The unit commonly labelled 'Calorie' on food labels; equal to 1000 calories (small cal). It represents the energy needed to raise 1 kg of water by 1 °C.
Frequently asked questions
- How many calories does cycling burn per hour?
- At moderate intensity (~16–19 km/h), a 70 kg cyclist burns approximately 500–600 kcal/hour. Harder efforts and heavier riders burn more.
- Does cycling burn more calories than running?
- Per unit of time, running burns roughly 20–30% more calories than cycling at similar perceived effort. However, cycling allows longer duration, so totals can be comparable.