FullCalculator

Backpacking Food & Calorie Planner

Food Weight Planner

Calculate total food weight for your trip

Meal Calorie Breakdown

Plan meal distribution for a day on trail

Formula

Daily Calories = Body Weight × 13 × Activity Multiplier | Food Weight (oz) = Daily Calories / Calorie Density (cal/oz)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories do you need per day backpacking?
Most backpackers need 2,500-4,500 calories per day depending on body weight, terrain, pack weight, and pace. A general rule is 25-30 calories per pound of body weight for moderate activity. Strenuous mountain hiking can require 4,000+ calories.
How much food weight should I carry per day?
Plan for 1.5-2.5 pounds of food per person per day. Ultralight backpackers aim for 1.5 lbs/day using high calorie-density foods (125+ cal/oz). Typical trail food averages about 100 calories per ounce, which works out to about 2 lbs/day for 3,200 calories.

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