Calories by height (120 lb, age 35)
| Height | Sedentary | Lightly | Moderately | Very |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5′0″ | 1,393 | 1,596 | 1,799 | 2,002 |
| 5′2″ | 1,431 | 1,640 | 1,848 | 2,057 |
| 5′4″ | 1,469 | 1,683 | 1,898 | 2,112 |
| 5′6″ | 1,507 | 1,727 | 1,947 | 2,167 |
| 5′8″ | 1,545 | 1,771 | 1,996 | 2,221 |
| 5′10″ | 1,583 | 1,814 | 2,045 | 2,276 |
Calories by age (120 lb, 5′4″)
| Age | Sedentary | Lightly | Moderately | Very |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1,529 | 1,752 | 1,975 | 2,198 |
| 35 | 1,469 | 1,683 | 1,898 | 2,112 |
| 45 | 1,409 | 1,615 | 1,820 | 2,026 |
| 55 | 1,349 | 1,546 | 1,743 | 1,939 |
| 65 | 1,289 | 1,477 | 1,665 | 1,853 |
Each 10 years of age lowers the estimate by 50 calories of BMR, which becomes about 60 to 86 calories of TDEE depending on activity. Height matters a little more: each extra 2 inches adds about 32 calories of BMR. Activity matters most. A very hard daily trainer at this weight (35, 5′4″, “extra active”) would burn around 2,326.
Using these numbers
These are estimates for the average woman with these measurements. Your real maintenance could be a couple of hundred calories either side. The way to know is to eat close to your estimate for two to four weeks and watch your weekly average weight; see how to find your maintenance calories. If you want a gradual change, the calculator above shows gentle ranges and won’t show a target below about 1,200 calories a day.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories should a 120 lb woman eat to maintain weight?
Roughly 1,289 to 2,276 calories a day across the heights, ages and activity levels in the tables on this page, by the Mifflin-St Jeor equation. A 35-year-old woman who is 5′4″ and lightly active comes out at about 1,683. Your own number depends on your height, age and activity; enter them in the calculator for a personal estimate.
How many calories should a 120 lb woman eat to lose weight?
Starting from about 1,683 calories (age 35, 5′4″, lightly active), a small reduction of about 250 calories gives roughly 1,433. A larger cut would go below about 1,200 calories a day, a level commonly cited as the minimum without medical supervision, so a doctor or registered dietitian is the best guide for anything beyond a small change.
Is 1,500 calories a day enough for a 120 lb woman?
For a 35-year-old woman who is 5′4″ and mostly sedentary, it is close to estimated maintenance (about 1,469). More active women of the same weight burn more and would likely need more to keep their weight stable.
How many calories does a 120 lb woman burn at rest?
A 35-year-old woman who is 5′4″ and 120 lb has an estimated BMR of about 1,224 calories a day by Mifflin-St Jeor. That is the energy used at complete rest, before any movement or digestion.
More weights: 110 lb · 120 lb · 130 lb · 140 lb · 150 lb · 160 lb · 170 lb · 180 lb · 190 lb · 200 lb. Also see the 140 lb man table.