When to use this calculator
Estimate food energy from entered macronutrient amounts. General Atwater-style factors; fibre, polyols, food-specific factors and local labelling rules can differ.
Explore the recipes & portions calculators for other questions in this topic. For a related calculation, use the Grams to Cups Calculator: Translate an ingredient mass into cups using a chosen bulk density and cup volume.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Food Energy: a worked example
The values below are an illustrative example, not a recommendation. Replace them with measurements or assumptions that match your question.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Protein (g) | 10 |
| Available carbohydrate (g) | 20 |
| Fat (g) | 5 |
| Alcohol (g) | 0 |
| Result | 165 kcal |
- Check the input labels and enter the example values above.
- Apply the relationship: Approximate kcal = protein×4 + carbohydrate×4 + fat×9 + alcohol×7.
- The result is 165 kcal, rounded for display.
How to interpret your result
General Atwater-style factors; fibre, polyols, food-specific factors and local labelling rules can differ.
Raw, cooked and trimmed weights are different measurement stages. An edible-yield percentage describes the remaining share after preparation. Scaling ingredient amounts does not automatically scale cooking time.
Frequently asked questions
Should portion weights use raw or cooked food?
Use whichever basis your recipe or serving plan requires, and state it consistently. Do not compare raw weights directly with cooked weights.
When is the food energy calculator useful?
Estimate food energy from entered macronutrient amounts. General Atwater-style factors; fibre, polyols, food-specific factors and local labelling rules can differ.
How do I use the food energy calculator?
Enter protein (g), available carbohydrate (g), fat (g), alcohol (g). The result updates automatically. Use the units shown beside each input; the example values illustrate the method.
Which formula does this calculator use?
Approximate kcal = protein×4 + carbohydrate×4 + fat×9 + alcohol×7.
What should I check before using the result?
General Atwater-style factors; fibre, polyols, food-specific factors and local labelling rules can differ.
How are results rounded?
Scalar numbers display up to six decimal places, with scientific notation for very large or small values. Text, fraction, date and schedule outputs use the format described on the tool. Intermediate calculations use JavaScript floating-point arithmetic. Keep sensible precision for your measurements.
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