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Health & Fitness

Protein Intake Calculator

Find your daily protein target in seconds — no guesswork.

Inputs

Daily protein target

142g

Recommended range: 126173 g/day

1.9 g per kg of body weight (75 kg)

Per meal

36 g

across 4 meals

From protein

568

kcal/day

Ratio

1.9

g per kg body weight

Copy summary

High-protein food reference

Use these common sources to hit your 142 g target.

FoodServingProtein
Chicken breast (cooked)100 g31 g(~5× to hit target)
Canned tuna100 g26 g(~6× to hit target)
Greek yogurt (plain)170 g (6 oz)17 g(~9× to hit target)
Large egg1 egg (50 g)6 g(~24× to hit target)
Cottage cheese (2%)113 g (½ cup)14 g(~11× to hit target)
Salmon (cooked)100 g25 g(~6× to hit target)
Whey protein powder1 scoop (~30 g)25 g(~6× to hit target)
Lentils (cooked)100 g9 g(~16× to hit target)
Tempeh100 g19 g(~8× to hit target)
Black beans (cooked)100 g8 g(~18× to hit target)
Edamame (shelled)90 g (½ cup)11 g(~13× to hit target)
Beef (lean ground, 90%)100 g27 g(~6× to hit target)

Tips to hit your target

  • 1.Spread protein across 4 meals (≈ 36 g each) to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
  • 2.Prioritize complete proteins (meat, eggs, dairy, soy) that contain all essential amino acids.
  • 3.Track intake for 1–2 weeks to build awareness — most people underestimate protein by 20–40 g/day.
  • 4.If you train hard, aim for the upper end of your range (173 g/day).
  • 5.Protein keeps you fuller longer — helpful if your goal is fat loss.
About

The Protein Intake Calculator tells you exactly how many grams of protein you need each day based on your body weight, primary fitness goal, and activity level. Whether you want to build muscle, lose fat, or simply maintain health, protein targets vary widely — this free tool applies evidence-based guidelines (0.8–2.5 g/kg) so you stop guessing and start hitting your numbers.

FAQ
How much protein do I need per day to build muscle?+

For muscle gain, most research supports 1.6–2.2 g of protein per kg of body weight per day. So a 75 kg person aiming to build muscle should target roughly 120–165 g of protein daily. Higher training volumes push you toward the upper end of that range.

Does protein intake differ for fat loss vs. muscle building?+

Yes. During a calorie deficit (fat loss), slightly higher protein — around 1.2–1.6 g/kg — helps preserve lean muscle mass while you lose fat. For muscle building in a calorie surplus, 1.6–2.2 g/kg is the typical evidence-backed range.

Should I spread protein across multiple meals?+

Research suggests muscle protein synthesis is optimized when protein is spread across 3–5 meals of roughly 20–40 g each, rather than consumed mostly in one sitting. The calculator defaults to 4 meals as a practical target.

Does activity level change my protein needs?+

Yes. More intense and frequent training creates greater muscle breakdown and repair demands, raising protein needs. A sedentary individual may do fine at 0.8 g/kg, while a competitive athlete training twice daily can benefit from up to 2.5 g/kg.

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