Macros for 1,500 Calories
Here is how 1,500 calories a day splits into protein, carbs and fat, in grams, for three common approaches. Every number uses the 4-4-9 rule: 4 calories per gram of protein and carbs, 9 per gram of fat.
Not sure 1,500 is your number? The macro calculator sets calories from your own TDEE and builds macros around your bodyweight.
1,500 calorie macro breakdowns
| Split | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| High protein 40/30/30 | 150 g | 113 g | 50 g |
| Balanced 30/40/30 | 113 g | 150 g | 50 g |
| Lower carb 35/25/40 | 131 g | 94 g | 67 g |
- High protein: Most filling; a good default while losing weight.
- Balanced: More carbs for training, still plenty of protein.
- Lower carb: For people who prefer fewer carbs, without going keto.
Percentages are written as protein / carbs / fat. Grams are rounded, so totals can differ from 1,500 by a few calories.
Check protein against your bodyweight
A percentage split ignores how much you weigh. A better check is grams per kilogram: 1.6–2.2 g/kg (0.7–1 g/lb) suits most people who train or are losing fat.
| Bodyweight | Protein at 1.6–2.2 g/kg | High-protein split (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| 120 lb (54 kg) | 87–120 g | Above range |
| 150 lb (68 kg) | 109–150 g | In range |
| 180 lb (82 kg) | 131–180 g | In range |
| 210 lb (95 kg) | 152–210 g | Below range |
| 240 lb (109 kg) | 174–239 g | Below range |
If your number is below range, raise protein and take the calories from carbs or fat. If it is above range, that is fine for healthy adults, but you can move some calories to carbs for training. At a BMI of 30 or more, base this on a goal weight; the protein calculator handles that for you.
Per-meal targets
| Split | 3 meals | 4 meals |
|---|---|---|
| High protein | 50 g P · 38 g C · 17 g F | 38 g P · 28 g C · 13 g F |
| Balanced | 38 g P · 50 g C · 17 g F | 28 g P · 38 g C · 13 g F |
| Lower carb | 44 g P · 31 g C · 22 g F | 33 g P · 24 g C · 17 g F |
Each meal works out to about 500 calories across three meals or 375 across four. Uneven meals are fine as long as the day adds up.
Who is 1,500 calories right for?
1,500 calories is a 20% deficit for someone whose TDEE is about 1,880 calories, or a 10% deficit for someone at about 1,670. Using our calculator's Cut setting, these example 35-year-olds land closest to 1,500:
| Example person | Activity | Cut target |
|---|---|---|
| Woman, 5 ft 4 in, 120 lb | moderately active | 1,520 kcal |
| Man, 5 ft 10 in, 140 lb | sedentary | 1,510 kcal |
| Woman, 5 ft 4 in, 140 lb | lightly active | 1,450 kcal |
| Woman, 5 ft 4 in, 200 lb | sedentary | 1,530 kcal |
Your own number may differ: find your maintenance calories with the TDEE calculator, or get a full target from the weight loss macro calculator.
A note on low targets: commonly cited guidance suggests not going below about 1,200 calories a day for women or 1,500 for men without medical supervision. If 1,500 is well below your TDEE, a smaller deficit is usually easier to sustain.
Other calorie levels
FAQ
How much protein should I eat on 1,500 calories?
Base it on bodyweight rather than calories: about 1.6–2.2 g per kg (0.7–1 g per lb) if you train or are losing fat. On 1,500 calories, the high-protein split gives 150 g.
Is a 40/30/30 split good for 1,500 calories?
40% protein, 30% carbs and 30% fat gives 150 g protein, 113 g carbs and 50 g fat. It is a solid starting point for weight loss if that protein figure suits your bodyweight.
Can I lose weight on 1,500 calories?
If 1,500 is below your TDEE, yes. How fast depends on the size of the gap; aim for 0.5–1% of bodyweight per week.
Sources
- Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids, 2005.
- Jäger R, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the ISSN, 2017.
- Harvard Health Publishing. Calorie counting made easy.
General information only, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your diet, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18 or managing a medical condition.