How Much Protein for a 65 kg (143 lb) Person?
130 g a day to build muscle (2 g per kg, or about 0.91 g per lb). To lose fat the target is 143 g; to maintain your weight it is 78 g.
Assumes a 30-year-old with a moderate activity level and 3 training days a week. Use the protein calculator for your own numbers.
Daily protein for 65 kg by goal
| Goal | Target per day | Range per day | Per meal (4 meals) | Calories from protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build muscle | 130 g (2 g/kg) | 104–143 g | 33 g | 520 kcal |
| Lose fat | 143 g (2.2 g/kg) | 104–182 g | 36 g | 572 kcal |
| Athletic performance | 117 g (1.8 g/kg) | 91–130 g | 29 g | 468 kcal |
| Maintain weight | 78 g (1.2 g/kg) | 52–104 g | 20 g | 312 kcal |
The target is the middle of the evidence-based range for each goal. Calories from protein use 4 kcal per gram. Basis: ISSN 2017: 1.4-2.0 g/kg is enough for most exercising people; Morton 2018: gains level off near 1.6 g/kg.
The arithmetic, step by step
Here is how the muscle-building number for 65 kg is worked out, so you can check it.
- Body weight times grams per kilogram: 65 kg × 2 g = 130 g a day.
- Split over 4 meals: 130 g ÷ 4 = about 33 g per meal.
- Calories from that protein: 130 g × 4 kcal = 520 kcal.
- In pounds: 65 kg is 143 lb, so 130 g is about 0.91 g per pound of body weight.
Swap in the fat-loss rate of 2.2 g per kg and the same sum gives 143 g; at the maintenance rate of 1.2 g per kg it gives 78 g.
How training changes it (muscle-building goal)
The same 65 kg person needs more protein as training volume rises. These examples keep the goal as building muscle and change only activity and training days.
| Activity | Target per day | Range per day |
|---|---|---|
| Sedentary, no training | 111 g (1.7 g/kg) | 94–143 g |
| Light activity, 2 training days | 124 g (1.9 g/kg) | 101–143 g |
| Moderate activity, 3 training days | 130 g (2 g/kg) | 104–143 g |
| High activity, 5 training days | 130 g (2 g/kg) | 111–143 g |
| Athlete, 6 training days | 130 g (2 g/kg) | 117–143 g |
Does age change the number?
Yes, from about 50. Older adults respond less to the same dose of protein, so the calculator adds a little for age 50 and over and a little more from 65. For a 65 kg person building muscle at a moderate activity level:
- At age 30: 130 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 55: 130 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 70: 130 g a day (2 g/kg)
Protein for 65 kg: common questions
How much protein should a 65 kg person eat per day?
It depends on the goal. For a 65 kg (143 lb) person with a moderate activity level and 3 training days a week, the calculator suggests about 130 g a day to build muscle (range 104–143 g), 143 g to lose fat, and 78 g to maintain weight.
How much protein per meal for 65 kg?
Split over 4 meals, the muscle-building target of 130 g works out to about 33 g per meal. The fat-loss target of 143 g is about 36 g per meal.
How many grams of protein per pound is that for 143 lb?
The muscle-building target of 2 g per kg is about 0.91 g per pound of body weight. For 143 lb that is roughly 130 g a day.
Other body weights
General information, not medical advice. People with kidney disease or other medical conditions should ask a doctor or dietitian first. See the disclaimer.