Yoga Calorie Calculator
Estimate calories burned in yoga by style (yin, hatha, vinyasa, power), duration, and body weight, using MET values from the Compendium of Physical Activities. Runs in your browser.
Uses kcal/min = MET × 3.5 × weight(kg) ÷ 200 with MET values from the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities. Power and flow styles burn more than gentle restorative practice. Population estimate; individual burn varies. Not medical advice.
About this tool
How many calories a yoga session burns depends heavily on the style: a slow, hold-based yin or restorative practice is gentle, while a fast vinyasa flow or a power/Ashtanga class is genuine moderate exercise. This calculator captures that by assigning each style its MET (metabolic equivalent) value from the 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities — about 2.0 for restorative, 2.5 for Hatha, 3.3 for vinyasa flow, and 4.0 for power yoga — and applying the standard equation: calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × body-weight-in-kg ÷ 200, across your session length. Heavier practitioners and longer or more vigorous classes burn more. Because MET values are population averages, the figure is a reasonable estimate rather than a precise measurement; actual burn varies with effort, room temperature (hot yoga raises it), and individual metabolism. Yoga's biggest benefits are flexibility, strength, balance, and stress reduction, with calories as a bonus. It is informational, not medical advice. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use it
- Enter how long your session was, in minutes.
- Enter your body weight (kg or lb).
- Choose your yoga style — restorative, Hatha, vinyasa, or power.
- Read the estimated calories burned.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the calorie burn calculated?
- With the MET formula: calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × your weight in kilograms ÷ 200, times your session minutes. A 70 kg person doing 45 minutes of vinyasa (3.3 MET) burns roughly 180 kcal.
- Why does yoga style matter so much?
- Energy cost scales with intensity. Restorative yoga (~2.0 MET) is barely above resting, while power yoga (~4.0 MET) is moderate exercise — double the calories per minute. The Compendium of Physical Activities assigns each style its own MET value, which this tool uses.
- Does hot yoga burn more calories?
- Somewhat — the heat raises heart rate and you lose more water, but the extra calorie burn is modest and much of the weight lost is water that returns on rehydration. Do not rely on it as a major calorie booster; the style and effort matter more than the room temperature.
- How accurate is the estimate?
- It is a population-based approximation. Your actual burn depends on how vigorously you practice, how long you hold poses, your fitness, and your body composition, so treat it as a ballpark rather than a precise count.
- Is yoga good for weight loss?
- It can contribute, especially the more vigorous styles, and its stress-reduction and mindfulness benefits may support healthier eating. But for calorie burn alone, cardio is more efficient. Yoga's strengths are mobility, strength, balance, and well-being.
- Is this medical advice?
- No. It is an informational fitness estimate. For guidance tailored to a health condition or weight plan, consult a qualified professional.