Formula
The American College of Sports Medicine level-running estimate, in ml of oxygen per kilogram per minute, is 0.2 times speed in meters per minute, plus 3.5. Energy uses about 5 kcal per liter of oxygen:
kcal = (0.2 × m/min + 3.5) × kg × minutes / 200
The calories-burned page uses one MET for a named activity. This page uses speed, so a faster run costs more on the same formula. Displayed kilocalories are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Assumptions
- The course is level.
- The speed stays constant.
- One liter of oxygen is treated as 5 kcal.
Worked example
70 kg at 10 km/h for 30 minutes estimates 387 kcal.
Input definitions
- Speed
- Running speed in kilometers per hour, from 4 to 24.
- Minutes
- How long the run lasts.
Limitations
This is an informational estimate for adults. It is not a diagnosis, a diet plan, or a training prescription. Pregnancy, illness, and medication can change what is appropriate.
Questions
Does this include hills?
No. The ACSM equation used here is for level running.
Why divide by 200?
Oxygen in ml is converted to liters by 1,000, then to kcal by about 5. Dividing by 200 combines those two steps.