How Much Protein for a 75 kg (165 lb) Person?
150 g a day to build muscle (2 g per kg, or about 0.91 g per lb). To lose fat the target is 165 g; to maintain your weight it is 90 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 75 kg by goal
| Goal | Target per day | Range per day | Per meal (4 meals) | Calories from protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build muscle | 150 g (2 g/kg) | 120–165 g | 38 g | 600 kcal |
| Lose fat | 165 g (2.2 g/kg) | 120–210 g | 41 g | 660 kcal |
| Athletic performance | 135 g (1.8 g/kg) | 105–150 g | 34 g | 540 kcal |
| Maintain weight | 90 g (1.2 g/kg) | 60–120 g | 23 g | 360 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 75 kg is worked out, so you can check it.
- Body weight times grams per kilogram: 75 kg × 2 g = 150 g a day.
- Split over 4 meals: 150 g ÷ 4 = about 38 g per meal.
- Calories from that protein: 150 g × 4 kcal = 600 kcal.
- In pounds: 75 kg is 165 lb, so 150 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 165 g; at the maintenance rate of 1.2 g per kg it gives 90 g.
How training changes it (muscle-building goal)
The same 75 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 | 128 g (1.7 g/kg) | 109–165 g |
| Light activity, 2 training days | 143 g (1.9 g/kg) | 116–165 g |
| Moderate activity, 3 training days | 150 g (2 g/kg) | 120–165 g |
| High activity, 5 training days | 150 g (2 g/kg) | 128–165 g |
| Athlete, 6 training days | 150 g (2 g/kg) | 135–165 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 75 kg person building muscle at a moderate activity level:
- At age 30: 150 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 55: 150 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 70: 150 g a day (2 g/kg)
Protein for 75 kg: common questions
How much protein should a 75 kg person eat per day?
It depends on the goal. For a 75 kg (165 lb) person with a moderate activity level and 3 training days a week, the calculator suggests about 150 g a day to build muscle (range 120–165 g), 165 g to lose fat, and 90 g to maintain weight.
How much protein per meal for 75 kg?
Split over 4 meals, the muscle-building target of 150 g works out to about 38 g per meal. The fat-loss target of 165 g is about 41 g per meal.
How many grams of protein per pound is that for 165 lb?
The muscle-building target of 2 g per kg is about 0.91 g per pound of body weight. For 165 lb that is roughly 150 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.