Enter the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET), weight in kilograms, and duration in hours into the calculator to estimate the calories burned (kcal) while doing laundry.
Estimate only. Actual energy burned varies by age, sex, fitness level, body composition, and effort. Not medical advice. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or have a history of eating disorders, consult a clinician before using calorie estimates for targets.
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Laundry Calories Burned Formula
The following formula is used to estimate the calories burned (kcal) while doing laundry.
C = MET * W * T * 1.05
Variables:
- C is the calories burned (kcal)
- MET is the Metabolic Equivalent of Task
- W is the weight in kilograms
- T is the duration in hours
To calculate calories burned (kcal), multiply the MET value by the weight in kilograms, the duration in hours, and 1.05 (a standard conversion derived from the MET oxygen-consumption equation).
What is Laundry Calories Burned?
Calories burned while doing laundry refers to the energy expenditure of an individual while performing laundry-related tasks. This can include activities such as sorting clothes, loading and unloading the washing machine, hanging clothes to dry, and folding them. The number of calories burned depends on various factors such as the individual’s weight, the intensity of the activity, and the duration for which the activity is performed. The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) is a useful measure to estimate the energy expenditure for different activities, including laundry.
How to Calculate Laundry Calories Burned?
The following steps outline how to calculate the calories burned while doing laundry.
Typical MET values for laundry activities
MET values vary by intensity and by reference source. For the most authoritative list, look up laundry-related activities in the Compendium of Physical Activities (or a similar reputable reference). Examples below are common ranges used in fitness references.
| Activity | Typical MET (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Folding / putting away laundry | ~2.0 |
| Hanging clothes / light laundry tasks | ~2.0–2.5 |
| Carrying a laundry basket (moderate effort) | ~2.5–3.5 |
| Carrying laundry upstairs (higher effort) | ~3.0–4.5 |
| Hand-washing / vigorous scrubbing | ~3.5–5.0 |
- First, determine the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) for laundry activities.
- Next, determine your weight in kilograms (W).
- Next, determine the duration of the activity in hours (T).
- Finally, calculate the calories burned (kcal) using the formula C = MET * W * T * 1.05.
- After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) = 2.3
Weight in Kilograms (W) = 70 kg
Duration in Hours (T) = 1.5 hours
