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How much protein do I really need per day?

Short answer

The baseline recommended dietary allowance is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, about 0.36 grams per pound, which is roughly 56 grams for a 70 kg adult. People who train hard commonly target more, with sports nutrition guidance often citing around 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram. A free protein intake calculator personalizes the number from your weight and goal, in your browser.

Baseline versus training targets

The 0.8 g/kg RDA is the amount that prevents deficiency in most healthy adults, not an optimum for muscle building. Strength athletes and people dieting while trying to keep muscle typically aim higher, which is where the commonly cited 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg range comes from. Bigger bodies need more grams for the same multiplier, which is why per-kilogram numbers beat one-size totals.

Turning grams into meals

A 110 gram daily target is easier as three or four meals of 25 to 35 grams than as one giant dinner. If you track calories too, a macro split calculator converts a calorie target into grams of protein, carbs and fat so the plan hangs together instead of being a lone protein number.

Step by step

  1. Enter your weight. Type your body weight in kg or pounds.
  2. Pick your goal. Maintenance, muscle gain or a diet phase changes the multiplier.
  3. Read your daily grams. The calculator shows a personalized protein target instantly.

Frequently asked questions

How much protein for a 70 kg person?

About 56 grams a day at the 0.8 g/kg baseline, and roughly 84 to 140 grams under common training-oriented targets of 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg.

Does plant protein count the same?

Grams are grams for the daily total. Mixing plant sources across the day covers the full amino acid profile.

Is more protein always better?

Above the training ranges there is little extra benefit for most people, and calories still count. Very high intakes are a medical question if you have kidney issues.

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