Protein-rich food sources
CalculatorSourced · ISSN 2017 · Morton 2018

Protein calculator: how much per day?

Get your daily protein quota in grams based on your weight, goal and activity level — evidence-based recommendations (ISSN, Helms 2014, Morton 2018).

Photo de Adrien Grusse

By Adrien Grusse · Fondateur de Micron

Published on 28 avril 2026 · Updated on 28 avril 2026

Your information

Gender
kg
Main goal
Physical activity level

The more intense the training, the higher the protein need (up to 2.8 g/kg for cutting athletes).

Enter your weight

to get your daily protein quota

How does the calculation work?

Step 01

g/kg ratio based on your goal

The calculator applies a g/kg body weight ratio calibrated to your goal and activity, based on reference meta-analyses (Helms 2014, Morton 2018, Phillips 2016).

Step 02

Personalized daily total

Multiplies the ratio by your weight to give your quota in grams/day. For cutting, the ratio is set higher to compensate for muscle loss in caloric deficit.

Step 03

Optimal distribution

30–50 g per feeding across 4–5 meals spaced 3–4 h apart. Beyond 40 g of complete protein per feeding, muscle protein synthesis is saturated (Schoenfeld 2018) and the surplus is used for energy.

Why track your protein?

Protein is the only macronutrient whose intake directly drives muscle mass. Too low, you lose muscle (especially in caloric deficit). Too low in surplus, your gains stall. Calibrating this intake is the #1 action for anyone training, losing weight or recompositing.

Beyond muscle, protein has a satiety effect superior to carbs and fat (high thermic effect: 25–30% of calories are burned during digestion vs. 5–10% for the other macros). This makes it a major lever for sustainable weight loss.

How much protein based on your profile?

Evidence-based recommendations vary by profile. The official RDA (0.8 g/kg) is a minimum to avoid deficiencies in a sedentary person — not an optimum. For anyone active or chasing physical results, needs are 2 to 3 times higher.

ProfileRecommended intakeExample (75 kg)
Healthy sedentary0,8–1,0 g/kg60–75 g/day
Active (light sport, weight loss)1,4–1,6 g/kg105–120 g/day
Regular lifter (lifting 3×/week)1,6–2,0 g/kg120–150 g/day
Bulking / intense lifting1,8–2,2 g/kg135–165 g/day
Cutting (trained athlete)2,2–2,8 g/kg LBM150–200 g/day

g/kg = grams per kg of body weight. LBM = lean body mass (weight × (1 − body fat%)).

6 tips to optimize your protein

01

Aim for 30–50 g per feeding

Muscle protein synthesis saturates around 30–40 g of complete protein. Beyond that, the surplus goes to energy or is converted to glucose, not muscle.

02

Space feedings 3–4 hours apart

Maintaining repeated leucine peaks across the day (4–5 feedings) maximizes 24-hour protein synthesis vs. 1–2 large meals (Schoenfeld 2018).

03

Prioritize animal sources when possible

Complete essential amino acid profile, high protein density (chicken: 30 g/100 g vs. lentils: 9 g/100 g). Plant sources work too but require +10–15% total intake and combining sources.

04

Whey is convenient, not magic

At equal total intake, no difference vs. solid food on long-term results (Morton 2018). Useful if you struggle to hit your quota or as a post-training snack.

05

Track 7–14 days to calibrate your eye

Most people underestimate their intake. An app (like Micron) for 7–14 days is enough to spot your gaps and adjust without lifelong tracking.

06

No more than 2.5 g/kg for most

Beyond that, no proven benefit on muscle protein synthesis (Morton 2018). Higher ratios (up to 3.1 g/kg LBM) only apply to strict cuts in trained athletes.

Frequently asked questions about protein

Scientific sources

The ratios and recommendations used by this calculator rely on 8 peer-reviewed studies and publications, listed below. All links point to the original source (PubMed, scientific journals).

  1. [1]Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ (2014). Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. View sourcePMID : 24864135
  2. [2]Morton RW, Murphy KT, McKellar SR, et al. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine. View sourcePMID : 28698222
  3. [3]Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon AA (2018). How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. View sourcePMID : 29497353
  4. [4]Phillips SM, Chevalier S, Leidy HJ (2016). Protein "requirements" beyond the RDA: implications for optimizing health. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. View sourcePMID : 26960445
  5. [5]Antonio J, Ellerbroek A, Silver T, et al. (2016). A high protein diet has no harmful effects: a one-year crossover study in resistance-trained males. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. View sourcePMID : 27807480
  6. [6]Devries MC, Sithamparapillai A, Brimble KS, et al. (2018). Changes in kidney function do not differ between healthy adults consuming higher- compared with lower- or normal-protein diets: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Nutrition. View sourcePMID : 30192979
  7. [7]Hevia-Larrain V, Gualano B, Longobardi I, et al. (2021). High-protein plant-based diet versus a protein-matched omnivorous diet to support resistance training adaptations. Sports Medicine. View sourcePMID : 33599941
  8. [8]Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. View sourcePMID : 28642676
Photo de Adrien Grusse

About the author

Adrien Grusse

Fondateur de Micron

Adrien est le fondateur de Micron, l'application qui aide plus de 150 000 utilisateurs à suivre leurs micronutriments au quotidien. Avant Micron, il a travaillé dans l'équipe Growth de Finary (Y Combinator). Adrien n'est pas diététicien diplômé — son rôle ici est de vulgariser la littérature scientifique avec rigueur. Chaque article cite ses sources peer-reviewed (PubMed, Cochrane, méta-analyses récentes) ; aucune affirmation n'est avancée sans référence vérifiable. Pour tout suivi médical individuel, consultez un professionnel de santé.

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