How many calories does cycling burn per hour?

Cycling burns approximately 400-600 calories per hour at moderate intensity for a 75kg rider. This varies significantly with speed, terrain, wind and bike load. Bikepacking with a loaded bike burns more calories than riding unloaded due to increased rolling resistance and weight.

Does a heavier bike burn more calories?

Yes, a heavier loaded bike increases the energy required, especially on hills. Each additional kilogram of load adds roughly 1-2% extra calorie burn. On flat terrain the effect is smaller, but on hilly routes the difference is significant.

MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) is a measure of exercise intensity. A MET of 1.0 is resting. Moderate cycling is about 6-8 METs, while vigorous cycling can be 10-16 METs. Calories burned = MET x body weight (kg) x duration (hours).

CampCalcs

Cycling Calorie Calculator

Calculate calories burned cycling based on speed, duration, weight and terrain.

Body Weight

Weight measurement

Duration

Duration of the process

Distance

Optional - for per-km calculation

Bike + Gear Load

Weight of bike and bags

Terrain

Type of terrain or ground

Intensity

Enter the intensity

How We Calculate This

This calculator uses MET (Metabolic Equivalent) values to estimate calorie burn during cycling.

Formula

Calories = MET x Weight (kg) x Duration (hours)

MET values by terrain and intensity

Flat, moderate: 6.8 MET
Rolling hills, moderate: 8.0 MET
Hilly, hard: 14.0 MET
Mountain, very hard: 20.0 MET

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Bikepacking Weight Calculator

Calculate total loaded bike weight with frame bags, saddle bags and handlebar rolls.

Tyre Pressure Calculator

Calculate optimal tyre pressure based on rider weight, tyre width and terrain.

Gear Ratio Calculator

Calculate gear ratios, development and speed for any chainring and cassette combination.

Pannier Capacity Calculator

Calculate pannier volume requirements based on trip length and gear needs.

Chain Length Calculator

Calculate the correct chain length from chainring sizes, cassette range and chainstay length.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.