Backpacking Food Weight Calculator
Estimate how much food to pack per day for a backpacking trip from your target calorie density and trip length.
How it works
oz/day = calories per day ÷ calorie density (kcal/oz) · total = oz/day × days
Food is one of the heaviest consumables in a pack, so backpackers plan it by calorie density rather than by meal. A common lightweight target is about 125 kcal per ounce, which lets you meet a 3,000-kcal day on roughly 1.5 lb of food. Denser foods (nuts, oils, dried meals) raise the density and cut pack weight; fresh produce lowers it. Total food weight scales linearly with trip length, so it is the number that most limits how long you can stay out.
Worked example
For a 3-day trip burning 3,000 kcal/day on 125-kcal/oz food: 3,000 ÷ 125 = 24 oz/day = 1.5 lb/day. Over 3 days that is 72 oz = 4.5 lb of food.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories do I burn backpacking?
Most backpackers burn 2,500–4,500 kcal/day depending on pack weight, terrain and body size. Steep, high-mileage days with a heavy pack push toward the upper end.
What is a good food weight target?
Around 1.5–2 lb (roughly 700–900 g) of food per person per day is a widely used planning figure. Getting below that usually means deliberately choosing calorie-dense foods.
Does this include packaging?
No — it estimates edible food weight. Add a little for wrappers, or repackage into lighter bags to keep close to the estimate.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.