Camping food calculator
Enter how many people are going, for how many days, and how hard you will be working. The calculator gives a starting point for calories per person, the total calories and food weight to pack, and the water to plan for. All the figures are typical planning values, not personal needs.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Enter the number of people and the number of days.
- Pick the activity level and the weather.
- Add spare days if you want a food reserve.
- Read the calories, food weight and water to plan for.
How it works
Calories per person per day are fixed by the activity level (2,300, 2,800 or 3,500 kcal). Total calories are that figure × people × (days + spare days). Food weight is total calories ÷ 4 kcal per gram. Water per person per day is 2, 3 or 4 L by activity, plus 1 L when hot, multiplied by people and days.
Worked example
Two people for 3 days at a moderate level in mild weather with 1 spare day: 2,800 × 2 × 4 = 22,400 kcal, about 5.6 kg (12.3 lb) of food. Water: 3 L × 2 × 3 = 18 L if you had to carry it all.
Tips
- Weigh your real food: trail mix, oils and nut butters pack the most calories per gram.
- Plan water around the places you can refill, and always carry a way to treat it.
- Colder weather and big climbs raise appetite, so lean toward the strenuous setting.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories do I need camping?
This calculator uses typical planning values for adults: about 2,300 kcal a day for a relaxed camp, 2,800 for moderate hiking and 3,500 for strenuous days with a heavy pack. They are rules of thumb. Your own needs depend on your size, load, terrain and weather.
How is the food weight worked out?
By dividing total calories by an assumed 4 kcal per gram, which is a typical energy density for dry trail food such as nuts, dried meals, oats and bars. Fresh or canned food has fewer calories per gram and will weigh more.
How much water per person per day?
The planning figures are 2 L for a relaxed day, 3 L for moderate and 4 L for strenuous, plus 1 L in hot weather. They cover drinking and cooking only, not washing. Where you can refill from a safe source, carry far less than the trip total and treat the water.
What are spare days for?
Extra days of food in case the trip runs long or the weather forces a delay. They add to the calories and food weight but not to the water, which is calculated for the planned days.
Is this advice for special diets or health conditions?
No. It gives general planning values for healthy adults. Children, pregnancy, medical conditions and special diets need different amounts.