Calories Burned: Tai chi
Tai chi is a moderate-intensity activity with a MET value of 3. A 155-lb (70 kg) person burns about 105 calories in 30 minutes and 211 in an hour. Adjust the weight and duration below for your exact number.
How to use this calculator
Tai chi is pre-selected. Set your body weight and how long you exercised, and the calorie estimate updates instantly. You can also switch to any of 40+ other activities using the category buttons.
Understanding your tai chi calorie burn
The estimate uses the MET formula: calories = MET × weight (kg) × hours. Tai chi's MET of 3 means it burns 3× more energy than sitting at rest. It's classified as moderate intensity — actual burn varies with your effort, fitness level, and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Calories burned: tai chi by weight and duration
Calorie burn scales directly with body weight — the same session costs a heavier person more energy because they are moving more mass. All figures use tai chi's MET value of 3.
| Duration | 125 lbs | 155 lbs | 185 lbs | 215 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 43 cal | 53 cal | 63 cal | 73 cal |
| 30 min | 85 cal | 105 cal | 126 cal | 146 cal |
| 45 min | 128 cal | 158 cal | 189 cal | 219 cal |
| 60 min | 170 cal | 211 cal | 252 cal | 293 cal |
Common calorie targets
How long a 155-lb person needs to do tai chi to hit common burn targets:
- ·Burn 100 calories: about 28 minutes
- ·Burn 250 calories: about 71 minutes
- ·Burn 500 calories: about 142 minutes
How tai chi compares to other dance & yoga activities
Same duration, same 155-lb person — only the intensity (MET) changes:
| Activity | MET | 30 min at 155 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| Tai chi | 3 | 105 cal |
| Zumba | 7.5 | 264 cal |
| Yoga | 2.8 | 98 cal |
| Pilates | 3 | 105 cal |
| Salsa dancing | 5 | 176 cal |
Related calculators
Calories burned in other dance & yoga activities
Same calculator, different intensity — each page shows that activity's numbers by weight and duration.