Pregnancy Calorie Calculator
Use this pregnancy calorie calculator to estimate your daily calorie needs based on your trimester and pre-pregnancy needs.
Updated August 12, 2026
Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides a general estimate based on established research and is for educational purposes only, not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results can vary based on health conditions, so consult a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, exercise, or health routine. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.
How Pregnancy Calorie Needs Are Calculated
Pregnancy doesn't call for a flat calorie increase from day one, and it doesn't call for eating for two, either. The extra energy your body needs builds gradually and is concentrated in the second half of pregnancy, which is why this calculator starts from your regular maintenance calories and adds a trimester-specific amount on top, rather than giving you one number for all nine months.
What This Calculator Measures
This estimates a daily calorie target for your current trimester, plus how that target changes across all three trimesters from the same starting point. It's built for a typical singleton pregnancy and isn't a substitute for guidance from your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian, especially if you have gestational diabetes, a history of disordered eating, or a high-risk pregnancy.
The Formula
We start from your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories, either calculated with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation⁴ and your activity level, or entered directly if you already know your number, then add ACOG's trimester-specific increment¹.
Daily calorie target = baseline maintenance calories + trimester increment
Trimester increment: 1st = +0 kcal, 2nd = +340 kcal, 3rd = +450 kcal
How This Calculator Computes Your Result
Choose whether to calculate your baseline from your stats (age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, and activity level) or enter your known maintenance calories directly. Then select your current trimester, or enter your week of pregnancy and we'll determine it for you (weeks 1 to 13 are the first trimester, 14 to 27 the second, 28 and beyond the third). We add the matching increment to your baseline for your result.
What Your Result Means
Alongside your result for the current trimester, we show your target across all three trimesters from the same baseline, so you can see how it changes as your pregnancy progresses. For example, from a baseline of 2,200 kcal/day¹:
Trimester | Daily Target |
First (weeks 1–13) | 2,200 kcal (no change) |
Second (weeks 14–27) | 2,540 kcal (+340) |
Third (week 28+) | 2,650 kcal (+450) |
Your own table uses your actual baseline, this is just an illustrative example.
Why Your BMI Category Matters, and Where the Evidence Gets Less Precise
ACOG's trimester figures above are general guidance meant to apply broadly¹. A peer-reviewed review looking specifically at how energy needs vary by pre-pregnancy BMI found somewhat different, more granular numbers: underweight women were estimated to need about +150, +200, and +300 kcal/day across the three trimesters, normal-weight women about +0, +350, and +500 kcal/day, and women with obesity about +0, +450, and +350 kcal/day³.
Notice the second-trimester and third-trimester normal-weight figures here (+350, +500) don't exactly match ACOG's flat numbers (+340, +450), close, but not identical, which is worth knowing rather than papering over. That same review also doesn't report a distinct figure for the Overweight category specifically, so if that's your pre-pregnancy BMI, the flat ACOG numbers above remain the best available general estimate.
A Note on Accuracy
This calculator is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin or multiple pregnancies have meaningfully different energy needs and require individualized guidance from your provider, not this tool. These figures are population averages: your actual needs depend on your pre-pregnancy BMI, activity level, and how nausea or appetite changes affect your intake, especially in the first trimester, where 'no extra calories needed' doesn't mean restriction is the goal. If eating even your usual amount feels difficult, that's worth raising with your provider directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many extra calories do I need during pregnancy?
Per ACOG, typically none in the first trimester, about 340 extra calories per day in the second trimester, and about 450 extra calories per day in the third trimester, added to your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories¹.
Do I really need to eat for two?
No. Even in the third trimester, when the increase is largest, it's about 450 extra calories a day, roughly a snack, not a second full meal¹.
Does my pre-pregnancy weight change how many calories I need?
Some research suggests it does. One review found underweight, normal-weight, and women with obesity may need somewhat different trimester increments³, though ACOG's flat figures remain the most widely used general guidance and are what most providers reference¹.
Is this calculator accurate for twins or multiples?
No. This tool is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin and multiple pregnancies have distinct, higher energy needs and should be discussed directly with your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian.
Sources
Nutrition During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, Institute of Medicine & National Research Council, 2009
Modern Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Pregnancy: Maximising Maternal and Foetal Outcomes and Limiting Excessive Gestational Weight Gain, Elliott-Sale et al., 2019
A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals, Mifflin et al., 1990
Pregnancy Calorie Calculator
Use this pregnancy calorie calculator to estimate your daily calorie needs based on your trimester and pre-pregnancy needs.
Updated August 12, 2026
Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides a general estimate based on established research and is for educational purposes only, not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results can vary based on health conditions, so consult a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, exercise, or health routine. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.
How Pregnancy Calorie Needs Are Calculated
Pregnancy doesn't call for a flat calorie increase from day one, and it doesn't call for eating for two, either. The extra energy your body needs builds gradually and is concentrated in the second half of pregnancy, which is why this calculator starts from your regular maintenance calories and adds a trimester-specific amount on top, rather than giving you one number for all nine months.
What This Calculator Measures
This estimates a daily calorie target for your current trimester, plus how that target changes across all three trimesters from the same starting point. It's built for a typical singleton pregnancy and isn't a substitute for guidance from your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian, especially if you have gestational diabetes, a history of disordered eating, or a high-risk pregnancy.
The Formula
We start from your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories, either calculated with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation⁴ and your activity level, or entered directly if you already know your number, then add ACOG's trimester-specific increment¹.
Daily calorie target = baseline maintenance calories + trimester increment
Trimester increment: 1st = +0 kcal, 2nd = +340 kcal, 3rd = +450 kcal
How This Calculator Computes Your Result
Choose whether to calculate your baseline from your stats (age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, and activity level) or enter your known maintenance calories directly. Then select your current trimester, or enter your week of pregnancy and we'll determine it for you (weeks 1 to 13 are the first trimester, 14 to 27 the second, 28 and beyond the third). We add the matching increment to your baseline for your result.
What Your Result Means
Alongside your result for the current trimester, we show your target across all three trimesters from the same baseline, so you can see how it changes as your pregnancy progresses. For example, from a baseline of 2,200 kcal/day¹:
Trimester | Daily Target |
First (weeks 1–13) | 2,200 kcal (no change) |
Second (weeks 14–27) | 2,540 kcal (+340) |
Third (week 28+) | 2,650 kcal (+450) |
Your own table uses your actual baseline, this is just an illustrative example.
Why Your BMI Category Matters, and Where the Evidence Gets Less Precise
ACOG's trimester figures above are general guidance meant to apply broadly¹. A peer-reviewed review looking specifically at how energy needs vary by pre-pregnancy BMI found somewhat different, more granular numbers: underweight women were estimated to need about +150, +200, and +300 kcal/day across the three trimesters, normal-weight women about +0, +350, and +500 kcal/day, and women with obesity about +0, +450, and +350 kcal/day³.
Notice the second-trimester and third-trimester normal-weight figures here (+350, +500) don't exactly match ACOG's flat numbers (+340, +450), close, but not identical, which is worth knowing rather than papering over. That same review also doesn't report a distinct figure for the Overweight category specifically, so if that's your pre-pregnancy BMI, the flat ACOG numbers above remain the best available general estimate.
A Note on Accuracy
This calculator is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin or multiple pregnancies have meaningfully different energy needs and require individualized guidance from your provider, not this tool. These figures are population averages: your actual needs depend on your pre-pregnancy BMI, activity level, and how nausea or appetite changes affect your intake, especially in the first trimester, where 'no extra calories needed' doesn't mean restriction is the goal. If eating even your usual amount feels difficult, that's worth raising with your provider directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many extra calories do I need during pregnancy?
Per ACOG, typically none in the first trimester, about 340 extra calories per day in the second trimester, and about 450 extra calories per day in the third trimester, added to your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories¹.
Do I really need to eat for two?
No. Even in the third trimester, when the increase is largest, it's about 450 extra calories a day, roughly a snack, not a second full meal¹.
Does my pre-pregnancy weight change how many calories I need?
Some research suggests it does. One review found underweight, normal-weight, and women with obesity may need somewhat different trimester increments³, though ACOG's flat figures remain the most widely used general guidance and are what most providers reference¹.
Is this calculator accurate for twins or multiples?
No. This tool is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin and multiple pregnancies have distinct, higher energy needs and should be discussed directly with your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian.
Sources
Nutrition During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, Institute of Medicine & National Research Council, 2009
Modern Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Pregnancy: Maximising Maternal and Foetal Outcomes and Limiting Excessive Gestational Weight Gain, Elliott-Sale et al., 2019
A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals, Mifflin et al., 1990
Pregnancy Calorie Calculator
Use this pregnancy calorie calculator to estimate your daily calorie needs based on your trimester and pre-pregnancy needs.
Updated August 12, 2026
Medical Disclaimer: This calculator provides a general estimate based on established research and is for educational purposes only, not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results can vary based on health conditions, so consult a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet, exercise, or health routine. Read our full Medical Disclaimer.
How Pregnancy Calorie Needs Are Calculated
Pregnancy doesn't call for a flat calorie increase from day one, and it doesn't call for eating for two, either. The extra energy your body needs builds gradually and is concentrated in the second half of pregnancy, which is why this calculator starts from your regular maintenance calories and adds a trimester-specific amount on top, rather than giving you one number for all nine months.
What This Calculator Measures
This estimates a daily calorie target for your current trimester, plus how that target changes across all three trimesters from the same starting point. It's built for a typical singleton pregnancy and isn't a substitute for guidance from your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian, especially if you have gestational diabetes, a history of disordered eating, or a high-risk pregnancy.
The Formula
We start from your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories, either calculated with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation⁴ and your activity level, or entered directly if you already know your number, then add ACOG's trimester-specific increment¹.
Daily calorie target = baseline maintenance calories + trimester increment
Trimester increment: 1st = +0 kcal, 2nd = +340 kcal, 3rd = +450 kcal
How This Calculator Computes Your Result
Choose whether to calculate your baseline from your stats (age, height, pre-pregnancy weight, and activity level) or enter your known maintenance calories directly. Then select your current trimester, or enter your week of pregnancy and we'll determine it for you (weeks 1 to 13 are the first trimester, 14 to 27 the second, 28 and beyond the third). We add the matching increment to your baseline for your result.
What Your Result Means
Alongside your result for the current trimester, we show your target across all three trimesters from the same baseline, so you can see how it changes as your pregnancy progresses. For example, from a baseline of 2,200 kcal/day¹:
Trimester | Daily Target |
First (weeks 1–13) | 2,200 kcal (no change) |
Second (weeks 14–27) | 2,540 kcal (+340) |
Third (week 28+) | 2,650 kcal (+450) |
Your own table uses your actual baseline, this is just an illustrative example.
Why Your BMI Category Matters, and Where the Evidence Gets Less Precise
ACOG's trimester figures above are general guidance meant to apply broadly¹. A peer-reviewed review looking specifically at how energy needs vary by pre-pregnancy BMI found somewhat different, more granular numbers: underweight women were estimated to need about +150, +200, and +300 kcal/day across the three trimesters, normal-weight women about +0, +350, and +500 kcal/day, and women with obesity about +0, +450, and +350 kcal/day³.
Notice the second-trimester and third-trimester normal-weight figures here (+350, +500) don't exactly match ACOG's flat numbers (+340, +450), close, but not identical, which is worth knowing rather than papering over. That same review also doesn't report a distinct figure for the Overweight category specifically, so if that's your pre-pregnancy BMI, the flat ACOG numbers above remain the best available general estimate.
A Note on Accuracy
This calculator is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin or multiple pregnancies have meaningfully different energy needs and require individualized guidance from your provider, not this tool. These figures are population averages: your actual needs depend on your pre-pregnancy BMI, activity level, and how nausea or appetite changes affect your intake, especially in the first trimester, where 'no extra calories needed' doesn't mean restriction is the goal. If eating even your usual amount feels difficult, that's worth raising with your provider directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many extra calories do I need during pregnancy?
Per ACOG, typically none in the first trimester, about 340 extra calories per day in the second trimester, and about 450 extra calories per day in the third trimester, added to your pre-pregnancy maintenance calories¹.
Do I really need to eat for two?
No. Even in the third trimester, when the increase is largest, it's about 450 extra calories a day, roughly a snack, not a second full meal¹.
Does my pre-pregnancy weight change how many calories I need?
Some research suggests it does. One review found underweight, normal-weight, and women with obesity may need somewhat different trimester increments³, though ACOG's flat figures remain the most widely used general guidance and are what most providers reference¹.
Is this calculator accurate for twins or multiples?
No. This tool is built for singleton pregnancies. Twin and multiple pregnancies have distinct, higher energy needs and should be discussed directly with your OB-GYN or a registered dietitian.
Sources
Nutrition During Pregnancy, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, Institute of Medicine & National Research Council, 2009
Modern Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Pregnancy: Maximising Maternal and Foetal Outcomes and Limiting Excessive Gestational Weight Gain, Elliott-Sale et al., 2019
A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals, Mifflin et al., 1990