Results update as you type. Calorie burn is an estimate from the MET method and scales with your weight and effort; use it to compare workouts rather than as an exact count.
The maths
How the calculator works
Calorie burn comes from three numbers: your weight, your workout time and the intensity of the ride, expressed as a MET value.
M
MET value = a research-based number for how hard the ride is. Easy spinning is about 4.8; a hard race effort is around 11. Each intensity option maps to a value from the Compendium of Physical Activities.
kg
Weight in kg = your body weight converted to kilograms (pounds divided by 2.205). Heavier riders burn more energy for the same workout.
/
Per minute = MET x 3.5 x weight in kg divided by 200. This is the standard calories-per-minute formula used across fitness science.
x
Total calories = calories per minute x your workout time. The burn rate per hour is simply the per-minute figure x 60.
g
Fat estimate = a rough share of the calories from fat, divided by 9 kcal per gram. A ballpark figure, not a precise measure of fat loss.
Two riders on the same bike for the same time can burn very different amounts, because weight and effort do most of the work. To burn more, ride longer, ride harder, or both.
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FAQ