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Calories burned cycling

A ride at 14-15.9 mph is 10.0 MET in the 2024 Adult Compendium (code 01040), the code for racing or leisure, fast, vigorous effort. For a 170 lb adult (77.1 kg) that is about 771 kcal in one hour: 10.0 × 77.1. A 12-13.9 mph ride is 8.0 MET (code 01030), about 617 kcal per hour at the same weight. A 16-19 mph ride is 12.0 MET (code 01050), about 925 kcal per hour. Bicycling, general, is a different code with no speed: 7.0 MET (code 01014), about 540 kcal per hour at 170 lb.

12-13.9 mph · 8.0 MET

617

kcal/hr

14-15.9 mph · 10.0 MET

771

kcal/hr

16-19 mph · 12.0 MET

925

kcal/hr

For a 170 lb adult.

Calculator

MET-based formula. Adjust weight and duration.

Calories burned

771 kcal

170 lb · 60 min · 14-15.9 mph · 10.0 MET

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What it is

Road cycling at a stated speed. 10.0 MET is the 2024 Compendium code for 14-15.9 mph, described as fast, vigorous effort. A 12-13.9 mph ride is a different code, 01030 at 8.0 MET, and the code itself says leisure, moderate effort. The vigorous band in that source starts at 6.0 MET, so 8.0 and 10.0 both sit in that band. The hour figure is a gross estimate, kcal ≈ MET × kg × hours, not a lab measurement.

What changes the burn

  • Speed — 12-13.9 mph is 8.0 MET (code 01030); 14-15.9 mph is 10.0 MET (01040); 16-19 mph is 12.0 MET (01050)
  • Bicycling, general, is 7.0 MET (code 01014) and does not name a speed
  • Body weight — the hour figures on this page use 170 lb (77.1 kg)
  • Stationary cycling uses separate watt codes, not a percent added to these road speeds

FAQ

How many calories does cycling burn in an hour?
At 14-15.9 mph, about 771 kcal for a 170 lb (77.1 kg) adult: 10.0 MET × 77.1 kg × 1 hour, from 2024 Adult Compendium code 01040. A 12-13.9 mph ride is 8.0 MET (code 01030), about 617 kcal per hour at the same weight. A 16-19 mph ride is 12.0 MET (code 01050), about 925 kcal per hour. That is a gross estimate, not a lab measurement.
Is a 14-15.9 mph ride moderate effort?
No. Code 01040 describes 14-15.9 mph as fast, vigorous effort at 10.0 MET. The Compendium has no moderate-effort code for that speed. Bicycling, general, is a different code, 01014, at 7.0 MET with no speed, about 540 kcal per hour at 170 lb.

How calories burned is calculated

kcal = MET × kg × h

Cycling · MET 10 · ≈ 771 kcal/hr · 77.1 kg · 14-15.9 mph · 10.0 MET

2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities : code 01030 is 8.0 MET at 12-13.9 mph, code 01040 is 10.0 MET at 14-15.9 mph, code 01050 is 12.0 MET at 16-19 mph. Bicycling, general, is code 01014 at 7.0 MET and names no speed. Gross kcal ≈ MET × kg × hours, using 77.1 kg (170 lb) on this page. Not a lab measurement for you.

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