Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate using lean body mass for more accurate results, especially for athletes and lean individuals.
Lean body mass (muscle, organs, bones) is metabolically active tissue that burns calories, while fat tissue is relatively inactive. The Cunningham equation accounts for this by using LBM, making it more accurate for lean individuals and athletes.
Use Cunningham if you have an accurate body fat measurement and are relatively lean (men <15% BF, women <25% BF). For most people, Mifflin-St Jeor is more practical and sufficiently accurate.
DEXA scan is most accurate, followed by hydrostatic weighing and air displacement. Bioelectrical impedance and skinfold calipers are less accurate but more accessible. Avoid using this calculator with estimated body fat percentages.