Losing weight doesn’t have to be confusing. In fact, it can be as simple as this:
Burn more calories than you eat.
This is called a calorie deficit, and it’s the foundation of every successful fat loss plan — no matter what diet or workout you follow.
But how many calories should you eat to create a safe, sustainable calorie deficit?
That’s where our free Calorie Deficit Calculator comes in. Just plug in a few numbers and get your personalized target — instantly.
🔢 What Is a Calorie Deficit?
A calorie deficit happens when your body burns more calories than it consumes. When you’re in a deficit, your body turns to stored fat for energy — and that’s how weight loss occurs.
You can create a deficit in three ways:
- Eat less
- Move more
- Combine both (the most effective and sustainable)
🎯 Why Use a Calorie Deficit Calculator?
Trying to lose weight without knowing your calorie target is like driving with no GPS — you might get somewhere, but it’ll take longer, and you’ll probably get frustrated.
With this tool, you’ll know:
- Your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
- How many calories to eat per day for fat loss
- Your projected fat loss rate (based on your deficit size)
It takes just 30 seconds to use — and it’s 100% free.
🧮 Try the Calorie Deficit Calculator
👉 Enter your info below to get started:
Calorie Deficit Calculator
🧠 What’s a Healthy Calorie Deficit?
Deficit Size | Calories/Day | Estimated Fat Loss/Week | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Mild | 250 | ~0.5 lb | Easiest to maintain |
Moderate | 500 | ~1 lb | Recommended for most |
Aggressive | 750–1000 | 1.5–2 lbs | Short-term only; can be hard to sustain |
⚠️ Never go below 1,200 calories/day (women) or 1,500 (men) without medical supervision.
✅ Tips for Success
- Track your intake using an app like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer
- Recalculate your deficit every 4–6 weeks as your weight and activity change
- Focus on protein and whole foods to feel fuller and preserve muscle
- Pair with strength training + walking for optimal fat loss
📉 Still Not Losing Weight?
If you’re following your calorie target but not seeing progress:
- Double-check portion sizes and logging accuracy
- Make sure you’re active throughout the day, not just at the gym
- Don’t panic over water weight or hormonal fluctuations — fat loss is a trend, not a day-to-day number
🚀 Take Control of Your Weight Loss
Now that you know how a calorie deficit works — and have the tool to calculate your personal numbers — the guesswork is over.
🎯 Want to keep the momentum?
- Try our Beginner Workout Plan for Fat Loss
- Read our guide on Safe Calorie Deficits
- Or bookmark this tool and update your numbers each month

John is the founder of MySlimTools — part coder, part calorie nerd, and full-time fan of simple, no-fluff weight loss tools. With a background in web development and a lifelong interest in fitness, John built this site to answer the age-old question: “How many calories should I actually be eating?”
When he’s not optimizing PHP code or fine-tuning a calculator, you can find him lifting weights, dodging carbs, or pretending broccoli tastes like fries — and he’s almost convinced (but cauliflower’s still playing a different sport).
His motto? “If it’s not simple, it won’t stick — whether it’s code or a diet.”