Outdoor Calculators
Camping food.
Choose how many people, how many days and how many calories each person needs, and get the weight of food to pack. The result is calories divided by the energy density of your food, plus a spare margin. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Trip
Result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
Two people on a 3-day trip at 3,000 kcal each per day, with food at 4.2 kcal/g and a 10% margin. Each person needs 3,000 / 4.2 = 714 g of food per day (1.57 lb). For the group: 2 x 3 x 714 g x 1.10 = 4.7 kg (10.4 lb), or 19,800 kcal.
How it works
Food per person per day = calories / energy density. Group total = people x days x that figure x (1 + margin). Energy density is calories per gram: dry backpacking food (nuts, oats, dehydrated meals, bars, oil) runs about 4 to 5 kcal/g, which means 2,500 to 3,500 kcal is roughly 0.5 to 0.9 kg (1.1 to 1.9 lb) of dry food per person per day.
The daily calorie presets are planning figures for adults, not nutrition advice. Real needs depend on body size, pace, pack weight, temperature and sex, and appetite often lags the work on long trips. Fresh food and cooler trips are far heavier per calorie, so lower the energy density. Add the weight of fuel separately with the stove fuel calculator.
Sources and basis: Energy density basis: Atwater general factors (about 4 kcal/g protein and carbohydrate, 9 kcal/g fat, USDA). The 0.5 to 0.9 kg per person per day figure is simply 2,500 to 3,500 kcal divided by 4 to 5 kcal/g, a planning estimate, not a standard. Checked 2026-10-05. Planning guide only, not medical or safety advice. Conditions, health and equipment change real needs; use your own judgment and local guidance.
FAQ
How much food do I need per person per day when camping?
For backpacking, plan about 2,500 to 3,500 kcal, which is roughly 0.5 to 0.9 kg (1.1 to 1.9 lb) of dry food at 4 to 5 kcal/g. Car camping with a cooler weighs more per calorie but weight rarely matters.
How many calories does backpacking burn?
It varies widely with body size, pack weight, terrain and weather. Many adults plan 2,800 to 4,000 kcal on active days. Treat the presets here as starting points and adjust to your own experience.
What is a good energy density for trail food?
Aim for at least 4 kcal per gram. Olive oil is 9, nuts about 6, bars and dehydrated meals around 4 to 4.5, and fresh fruit under 1.
Should I bring extra food?
Yes. The default adds 10% for delays and appetite. Add a full spare day for remote routes.
Does this include water?
No. Water is planned separately, see the camping water calculator.