Total Calories
Total Calories is an estimate of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), combining basal metabolic rate (BMR) with calories expended through physical activity. The metric represents the sum of energy used for basic physiological functions at rest plus additional energy used for movement and activity throughout the day. Total Calories = BMR + Active Calories.
Typical Adult Ranges
kcalBased on population studies. Individual needs vary by age and health status.
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Key Takeaways
Represents estimated total daily energy expenditure.
Combines estimated basal metabolism with estimated activity expenditure.
Higher values on more active days.
Estimation accuracy has inherent limitations.
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How It's Measured
Oura estimates Total Calories by combining: 1.
Common Influences
Body size: Larger individuals have higher BMR and expend more calories for equivalent movement.
Deep Dive
Total Calories represents estimated total energy expenditure for the day. It combines the energy required to maintain basic bodily functions with additional energy expended through physical activity.
A useful framing is that total calories estimates how much energy the body used. BMR accounts for the calories needed to sustain life at rest (heart function, breathing, cellular processes); active calories add the expenditure from movement. Together, they estimate the day's total energy output.
Energy expenditure consists of several components:
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Energy for basic physiological functions at rest, typically 60–75% of total expenditure
- Thermic Effect of Food (TEF): Energy for digesting and processing food, typically 5–10%
- Activity Energy Expenditure: Energy for physical movement, highly variable by activity level
Wearable estimates typically capture BMR and activity expenditure. TEF is usually not directly measured but may be partially included in BMR estimates.