WEIGHT LOSS
CALCULATOR

How long will it take to reach your goal weight? Get a realistic, science-based timeline.

✅ Deficit-Based Timeline📈 Weekly & Monthly Targets🎯 Goal-Based Planning
Your Details
Your Weight Loss Plan
--
Weeks to Goal
Weight to Lose--
🕐 Estimated Date--
Daily Calorie Deficit--
Weekly Fat Loss--
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Fat Loss Rate Reference
Deficit StrategyExpected LossNotes
Mild (−250 cal/day)~0.25 kg/weekVery sustainable, minimal muscle loss
Moderate (−500 cal/day)~0.5 kg/weekRecommended for most people ✓
Aggressive (−750 cal/day)~0.75 kg/weekShort term only, monitor muscle
Maximum (−1000 cal/day)~1.0 kg/weekHighest muscle loss risk
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What This Calculator Does

The Weight Loss Calculator projects your fat loss timeline based on your current weight, goal weight, and chosen calorie deficit. It uses the validated 7,700 kcal/kg deficit model to give realistic weekly targets and a completion date.

The Formula Explained

1kg of fat ≈ 7,700 kcal. 500 kcal daily deficit → 3,500 kcal/week → 0.45kg/week. Example: lose 10kg at 500 kcal/day deficit → 10 ÷ 0.45 = ~22 weeks. For a 750 kcal deficit: same 10kg in ~15 weeks but higher muscle loss risk.

What Your Result Means

Safe fat loss is 0.5–1% of body weight per week. Faster loss increases muscle breakdown risk — studies show up to 40% of rapid weight loss can be lean mass. For best body composition: combine a 500 kcal deficit with adequate protein (1.8–2.4g/kg) and resistance training.

Next Steps

Calorie Calculator to set your exact daily target · TDEE Calculator to find your maintenance calories

The Science of Fat Loss Timelines

One pound (0.45kg) of fat contains approximately 3,500 calories. Therefore, a daily deficit of 500 calories produces roughly 0.45kg of fat loss per week — a well-validated rule of thumb, though individual metabolic adaptation means real results vary. Safe, sustainable fat loss rates are generally 0.5–1% of body weight per week, which minimizes muscle loss and metabolic adaptation while allowing consistent progress.

Why Slower Is Often Better

Very aggressive deficits (above 750–1,000 cal/day) accelerate lean mass loss, reduce metabolic rate through adaptive thermogenesis, increase cortisol and hunger hormones, and are more difficult to sustain long-term. Research consistently shows that slower weight loss strategies produce better body composition outcomes and better weight maintenance.

SM
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, M.D.
Board-Certified Internal Medicine · 12 Years Clinical Experience
Dr. Mitchell reviews all IndexBody health content for clinical accuracy and alignment with WHO, CDC, and NIH guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to lose 10kg?
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At a moderate daily deficit of 500 calories (roughly 0.5kg/week), losing 10kg takes approximately 20 weeks (5 months). At 750 cal/day deficit (~0.75kg/week), it takes about 13–14 weeks. The safest sustainable rate is 0.5–1% of body weight per week.
How many calories do I need to cut to lose 1kg per week?
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To lose 1kg of fat per week, you need a weekly deficit of approximately 7,700 calories, or 1,100 calories per day. This is considered aggressive and most nutrition guidelines cap safe deficits at 750–1,000 calories per day. Deficits this large increase the risk of muscle loss and metabolic adaptation.