Cycling Calories Calculator
Estimate calories burned cycling from your duration or distance, average speed, terrain and body weight. See calories per hour, per mile or km, and the MET used.
Result
—
Estimated burn
— kcal
- Calories per hour
- —
- Calories per mile / km
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- MET used
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An estimate based on the Compendium MET value for your selection.
iPhone & iPad · Free
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How this calories burned cycling calculator works
This calories burned cycling calculator applies a cycling MET value to your body weight and time. Choose a duration or distance, then add average speed and terrain to get a practical estimate.
Cycling energy cost is dominated by air resistance, which rises with the cube of speed. Wind, drafting, position and bike type can therefore change the result, while a MET lookup cannot see hills. If you have a power meter, watts are a better basis: kcal ≈ average watts × hours × 3.6, following from roughly 25% human efficiency.
kcal per minute = MET × 3.5 × body weight in kg ÷ 200 This is an estimate, not a measurement. A power-meter estimate is usually more useful when your average watts are available.
Cycling calories calculator FAQ
Is cycling speed or time more important to the estimate?
Both matter. Time sets how long the effort lasts, while speed selects a MET band for road cycling. Because air resistance rises sharply with speed, speed-related conditions can make a large difference.
Why does the calculator ask for terrain?
Mountain biking and stationary cycling use separate MET values from the road speed bands. The result still cannot account for the exact hills, surface, bike or resistance setting.
Can I use distance instead of duration?
Yes. Enter either one. When you enter distance, the calculator derives duration from distance and average speed.
Why are watts a better input when I have them?
A power meter measures work at the pedals, while a MET lookup infers effort from broad categories. The supplied alternative estimate is kcal ≈ average watts × hours × 3.6.
Are my values saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and this tool does not send your inputs over a network.