Standing Desk Calorie Calculator
Estimate the extra calories you burn by standing instead of sitting at your desk each day, week and year.
How it works
extra kcal/min = (1.8 − 1.3 MET) × 3.5 × weight(kg) ÷ 200
Standing uses slightly more energy than sitting because your postural muscles stay engaged. Using standard MET values — about 1.3 for quiet sitting and 1.8 for light standing — and the classic kcal = MET × 3.5 × kg / 200 per-minute formula, a typical adult burns only tens of extra calories per standing hour. Meta-analyses put the real-world difference near 0.1–0.2 kcal per minute, so treat standing-desk claims of huge calorie burns with skepticism.
Worked example
A 170 lb (77 kg) person standing 3 hours: extra kcal/min = 0.5 × 3.5 × 77 / 200 ≈ 0.67; over 180 minutes that is about 121 kcal per day, or roughly 6,300 kcal a year at 5 days/week.
Sources: Compendium of Physical Activities
Frequently asked questions
Will a standing desk help me lose weight?
On its own, barely — the extra burn is small and easily offset by eating slightly more. Its value is reducing prolonged sitting and postural fatigue, not big calorie loss.
Why do other calculators show much bigger numbers?
Some assume an unrealistically high standing MET. Research supports only a modest difference over sitting, which is what this tool uses.
Is standing all day better?
No — prolonged standing has its own downsides. Alternating sitting and standing, and adding short walks, is more comfortable and healthier than either extreme.
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This is a general educational estimate, not medical advice. Individual responses vary — for decisions about exercise, sun exposure, heat, cold or health conditions, talk to a qualified professional.