BMR is the energy you burn at rest. TDEE adds the energy from movement and digestion, so it is the number that matters for daily calorie targets.
Side by side
| BMR | TDEE | |
|---|---|---|
| Means | Calories at complete rest | Total calories burned in a day |
| Includes activity | No | Yes |
| Calculated as | Equation from age, sex, height, weight | BMR x activity factor |
When to use which
Start from your TDEE when planning intake, then adjust from your own results. These are estimates, not medical advice.