Calculators

Keto Macro Calculator

By Ted KallmyerUpdated May 18, 2023

Calculate your ideal keto macro ratios for weight loss with this personalized calculator.

Age

Biological Sex

Current Weight

Height

Formula ?

Activity Level

Weight Goal

Carbohydrate
Protein
Fat

Adjust Meals Per Day

Adjust Protein Amount

Now What?

Sticking to a Keto diet is challenging. We recommend that all beginners follow a structured meal plan until you get the hang of it.

  • 🏃🏽‍♀️ The Keto cycle has a comprehensive set of plans.
  • Use Factor Meals to get keto delivered meals.

 

Is a keto diet right for you?

A keto diet can be difficult to stick to, but research suggests that it can help you lose weight faster than other diets.

It’s popular for people who:

  • Are training for fitness competitions.
  • Are losing weight for an event but have a shorter time window.
  • Are unable to lose weight eating normal levels of carbohydrates.

How does keto work?

  1. Keto became popular among bodybuilders to cut fat before competitions.
  2. When you’re on a ketogenic diet, your body will use fat as its primary energy source.
  3. You achieve this by limiting carbs and eating more fat.
  4. Without carbohydrates, the body converts food and body fat into ketones for energy.

Are calories still important with keto?

Yes. A calorie deficit is still required for weight loss.

How do I calculate macros for keto?

To calculate your keto diet macros, you must establish your estimated TDEE (total daily energy expenditure).

Your TDEE accurately measures how much energy you expend each day (at rest and when exercising).

The calculator above measures your TDEE and then creates the optimum macro ratio.

Setting a Calorie Deficit

To achieve fat loss, you need a calorie deficit.

We recommend 20% of your daily calories.

This is automatically applied when setting the Weight Goal to Lose in the above calculator.

Achieving Ketosis

Taking your body into ketosis requires very low levels of carbs.

The process can also be induced with Keto salts. However, they should be consumed in moderation.

Testing for Ketosis

You don’t have to guess whether or not your body is in ketosis.

There are several over-the-counter testing methods to determine your ketosis status.

  1. Urine keto test strips
  2. Blood ketone testers

You want to be in the range of 0.5 – 3.0 for blood ketones with the optimal fat-burning target of 2.0.

How many carbs do I eat on the Keto Diet?

The keto diet isn’t carb-free but just low in carbs.

5% of your total daily calories should be in the form of carbs.

For most people, this is 20-30 grams of carbohydrates per day, depending on your stats and exercise-adjusted TDEE.

Net carbs

Carbs that don’t produce energy, like certain types of fiber, do not count toward your totals.

How much protein do I eat?

No more than 0.8 grams per pound of body weight should be consumed while on a keto diet.

The calculator default is set at .7 grams per pound.

Adjust lower or higher if it’s difficult to reach your macro targets.

Some macro calculators recommend higher fat (but less protein). However, protein is essential for muscle repair and preservation.

How much fat do I eat on Keto?

After carbs and protein have been calculated, your remaining calories should come from fat.

Example: A moderately active woman, 30 years old, 5’5″, and 180 pounds, would have a weight loss TDEE of 1908 calories.

Here are her keto macros:

  • Protein: 126 grams (27%)
  • Fat: 145 grams (69%)
  • Carbs: 24 grams (5%)

How much fiber do I need while doing keto?

Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system.

You still should consume green leafy and other low-carb veggies while on the keto diet.

Fiber supplements may be necessary. Psyllium husks are an excellent natural fiber choice if you aren’t getting enough.

The essential Keto-Friendly foods

These foods will help you reach your keto macros.

  • Avocado
  • Ground flax seed
  • Coconut oil
  • Olive oil
  • Grassfed butter
  • Dark meat chicken
  • Eggs
  • Steak
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Bacon
  • Sour cream
  • Hard cheeses
  • Nuts (watch the carbs)
  • Seeds (watch the carbs)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Almond butter
  • Leafy greens and other low-carb veggies like cucumber, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, etc.

Symptoms you may experience with a ketogenic diet

There is an adjustment period when starting a ketogenic diet. You may experience some of the following symptoms:

  1. Brain fog
    Your brain loves glucose and consumes a lot of it.
  2. Lack of energy
    Feeling tired and lethargic is an adjustment to using fat for energy instead of sugar.
  3. Lack of strength during workouts
    Without carbs replenishing your muscles’ glycogen supplies, your may tire more quickly.
  4. Cravings
    Your brain will not be happy and will want you to eat carbs. Be prepared for some intense cravings when you start.

Do you have to track macros on keto?

It’s possible to go into ketosis without tracking macros, but tracking macros ensure the following three things:

  1. You aren’t eating too many carbs.
  2. You are eating the right amount of protein.
  3. You are eating the right amount of calories for weight loss.

How long should I be on the keto diet?

Keto dieting is suitable for short-term fat loss but is difficult to sustain long-term.

After reaching your initial weight loss goals, you should transition to a normalized set of macros.

Don’t know where to start?

  • You can get started in 60 minutes with the right app and plan.
  • Keto cycle has personalized meal plans and step-by-step instructions.
View article sources

Sources

  • Yancy, W. S., Olsen, M. K., Guyton, J. R., Bakst, R. P., & Westman, E. C. (2004). A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia. A randomized, controlled trial. Annals of internal medicine, 140(10), 769-777. Ref
  • Mifflin, M. D., St Jeor, S. T., Hill, L. A., Scott, B. J., Daugherty, S. A., & Koh, Y. O. (1990). A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 51 (2), 241-247. URL http://www.ajcn.org/content/51/2/241.abstract
  • Yancy, W. S., Foy, M., Chalecki, A. M., Vernon, M. C., & Westman, E. C. (2005). A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet to treat type 2 diabetes. Nutrition & Metabolism, 2(1), 34. Study link

77 Comments

  • Thomas 2 weeks ago

    Hello, could you please clarify one point for me? I calculated my keto macros at 36g Carbs, 234g Fat and 152g Protein. When it comes to Protein, does it mean I need to consume 152g of ground steak (for example) OR do I need to consume 582.38g of ground steak ? (As there are 26.1 grams of Protein in each 100g of ground steak). Thank you for your advice.

    Reply
    • Ted Kallmyer (Certified Macro Coach) 2 weeks ago

      Hi Thomas, you consume enough steak or other protein source (per protein per serving) until you reach the grams of protein. So in this case you’d consume 582 g of steak, although you should vary your protein sources and watch those that contribute a lot of saturated fat.

      Reply
      • Thomas 2 weeks ago

        Thanks for the clarification Ted, much appreciated!

        Reply
  • Eve 2 months ago

    When filling in the calculator it gave me 8g carbs. Is this Net carbs

    Reply
    • Ted Kallmyer (Certified Macro Coach) 2 months ago

      Yes, this would be 8 grams of net carbs.

      Reply
  • Eve 2 months ago

    Finding it very hard to put meals together with 43 g fat, 56 g protein and 8g carbs as suggested. I am eating 1200 cals per day and eating only 2 meals a day but not able to get the fat protein and carbs right.

    Reply
    • Ted Kallmyer (Certified Macro Coach) 2 months ago

      Hi Eve, You may have to do two meals and some snacks to round things out.

      Reply
  • Kevin kelly 4 months ago

    Started keto diet for epilepsy,, and the weight is falling off ,, so let’s see the progress and hope it works for my health also !

    Reply
    • James (Moderator) 4 months ago

      Great to hear that the keto diet is working well for you! Keep us updated on your progress and best wishes for your overall health.

      Reply

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