Methodology & Sources
How our calculators work, what they're based on, and their limitations.
Our Editorial Approach
Calocalu is built and maintained as an independent project. Our calculators use established, publicly documented formulas from recognised health and medical organizations — we do not invent our own formulas or make unverified health claims. Where a specific formula is used (for example, the Mifflin-St Jeor equation for BMR, or the U.S. Navy method for body fat), we name it directly on that tool's page.
We are not a medical practice, and our content is not written or reviewed by licensed clinicians. Every calculator and article on this site includes a disclaimer making that clear, and we encourage anyone with health concerns to consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Formulas We Use
- BMI: weight ÷ height² (WHO/CDC standard formula)
- BMR: Mifflin-St Jeor equation
- Ideal Weight: average of the Devine, Robinson, and Miller formulas
- Body Fat: U.S. Navy circumference method
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio: WHO risk thresholds
- Calorie Deficit: TDEE (Mifflin-St Jeor × activity multiplier) with a calorie-based deficit/surplus
- Heart Rate Zones: Karvonen method using age and resting heart rate
Each calculator page documents its specific formula and assumptions in more detail.
Sources We Reference
Where our content cites external research or guidance, we link to primary, recognised sources such as:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Limitations
All calculators on this site are screening and educational tools, not diagnostic instruments. They cannot account for individual medical history, medications, genetics, or conditions that affect metabolism, body composition, or health risk. Results should be treated as a general reference point, not a medical assessment.
Privacy
Calculations run in your browser. We don't require an account to use any calculator, and optional account features are only used to let you save your own results across visits — see our Privacy Policy for details.
Last reviewed: September 2026.