Sports · Calorie burn
🏀Calories burned basketball
A 155 lb person burns about 240 calories doing basketball for 30 minutes — roughly 480 calories per hour.
Calories burned by weight & time
| Body weight | 15 min | 30 min | 45 min | 60 min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 lb | 97 | 193 | 290 | 387 |
| 155 lb | 120 | 240 | 360 | 480 |
| 185 lb | 143 | 286 | 430 | 573 |
| 215 lb | 166 | 333 | 499 | 666 |
MET value: 6.5. Estimates use the standard MET formula and will vary with intensity, fitness and terrain.
Frequently asked
How many calories does basketball burn?
Basketball burns roughly 240 calories in 30 minutes (about 480 per hour) for a 155 lb person. Heavier bodies and higher intensity burn more.
How is calorie burn for basketball calculated?
We use the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method: calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × body weight in kg ÷ 200. Basketball has a MET value of about 6.5. This is the same approach used by the Compendium of Physical Activities.
Does basketball burn enough to lose weight?
Exercise helps, but weight loss is driven mostly by total energy balance. Basketball contributes 240–480 calories per session — useful, but a small change in what you eat usually moves the needle faster. Tracking both sides is the point.
More sports activities
Both sides of the equation.
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