Enteral Nutrition Target Calculator (kcal/kg + Protein g/kg)
Compute daily kcal and protein targets for enterally fed adults from weight, kcal/kg and g/kg prescriptions, then translate them into product volume and starting rate. Targets from ASPEN/SCCM, ESPEN. Caveats: actual vs ideal weight, trophic feeding, gastric residual, aspiration precautions. Derived from McClave 2016, Singer/ESPEN 2019, Boullata 2017, MDCalc. Not medical advice.
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Tool usage guide
Learn when to use this tool, what it supports, and how real users apply it.
Key facts
Category
Health
Input types
number, select
Output type
json
Sample coverage
4
API ready
Yes
Overview
The Enteral Nutrition Target Calculator estimates daily energy and protein targets for enterally fed adults, then converts the energy target into formula volume and a 24-hour starting rate using the selected formula density. It also compares formula-delivered protein with the prescribed protein target. This tool is not medical advice.
When to use
Estimate daily kcal and protein targets from body weight and prescribed kcal/kg/day and g/kg/day values.
Convert an energy target into the approximate daily volume and hourly rate for a selected enteral formula.
Check whether the selected formula provides enough protein to meet the calculated daily target.
How it works
1Enter body weight and select whether the calculation uses actual, ideal, or adjusted body weight.
2Enter the prescribed energy target in kcal/kg/day and protein target in g/kg/day.
3Select the formula energy density and enter its protein content in g/L.
4Review the calculated kcal target, protein target, formula volume, 24-hour starting rate, and protein delivered.
Use cases
Dietitians can compare formula volume and protein delivery with prescribed nutrition targets.
Critical care teams can quantify energy and protein delivery when using lower early energy targets.
Clinicians can compare standard and concentrated formulas when fluid volume is an important consideration.
Examples
1. Standard maintenance enteral feeding
Dietitian
Background
A 70 kg adult has a prescribed target of 25 kcal/kg/day and 1.2 g protein/kg/day. The selected formula provides 1.0 kcal/mL and 40 g protein/L.
Problem
Determine the daily energy and protein targets and check whether the formula meets the protein prescription.
How to use
Enter 70 kg, select actual body weight, enter 25 kcal/kg/day and 1.2 g/kg/day, select 1.0 kcal/mL, and enter 40 g/L protein.
The calculator estimates 1750 kcal/day and 84 g protein/day. This requires 1750 mL/day, or about 73 mL/hour over 24 hours, and provides about 70 g protein, or 83% of the target.
2. Early critical illness with a concentrated formula
Critical care clinician
Background
An 80 kg adult has a prescribed early critical-illness target of 14 kcal/kg/day and 1.5 g protein/kg/day. The formula provides 1.5 kcal/mL and 75 g protein/L.
Problem
Estimate the concentrated formula volume and identify the gap between formula-delivered protein and the daily target.
FAQ
What does this calculator calculate?
It calculates daily energy and protein targets, formula volume in mL/day, a 24-hour rate in mL/hour, and protein delivered by the selected formula.
Which weight should I enter?
Use actual body weight unless ideal or adjusted weight is clinically selected, such as with obesity or significant fluid overload. Record the weight basis used.
How is formula volume calculated?
Daily formula volume equals the energy target in kcal divided by the formula density in kcal/mL.
How is the hourly rate calculated?
The displayed 24-hour rate is the daily formula volume divided by 24 hours.
What if formula protein is below the target?
Review the result with the responsible clinician or dietitian. A different formula or a protein modular may be considered clinically, but the calculator does not prescribe treatment.
The calculator estimates 1120 kcal/day and 120 g protein/day. This requires about 747 mL/day, or about 31 mL/hour over 24 hours, and provides about 56 g protein, or 47% of the target.