How Much Protein for a 85 kg (187 lb) Person?
170 g a day to build muscle (2 g per kg, or about 0.91 g per lb). To lose fat the target is 187 g; to maintain your weight it is 102 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 85 kg by goal
| Goal | Target per day | Range per day | Per meal (4 meals) | Calories from protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build muscle | 170 g (2 g/kg) | 136–187 g | 43 g | 680 kcal |
| Lose fat | 187 g (2.2 g/kg) | 136–238 g | 47 g | 748 kcal |
| Athletic performance | 153 g (1.8 g/kg) | 119–170 g | 38 g | 612 kcal |
| Maintain weight | 102 g (1.2 g/kg) | 68–136 g | 26 g | 408 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 85 kg is worked out, so you can check it.
- Body weight times grams per kilogram: 85 kg × 2 g = 170 g a day.
- Split over 4 meals: 170 g ÷ 4 = about 43 g per meal.
- Calories from that protein: 170 g × 4 kcal = 680 kcal.
- In pounds: 85 kg is 187 lb, so 170 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 187 g; at the maintenance rate of 1.2 g per kg it gives 102 g.
How training changes it (muscle-building goal)
The same 85 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 | 145 g (1.7 g/kg) | 123–187 g |
| Light activity, 2 training days | 162 g (1.9 g/kg) | 132–187 g |
| Moderate activity, 3 training days | 170 g (2 g/kg) | 136–187 g |
| High activity, 5 training days | 170 g (2 g/kg) | 145–187 g |
| Athlete, 6 training days | 170 g (2 g/kg) | 153–187 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 85 kg person building muscle at a moderate activity level:
- At age 30: 170 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 55: 170 g a day (2 g/kg)
- At age 70: 170 g a day (2 g/kg)
Protein for 85 kg: common questions
How much protein should a 85 kg person eat per day?
It depends on the goal. For a 85 kg (187 lb) person with a moderate activity level and 3 training days a week, the calculator suggests about 170 g a day to build muscle (range 136–187 g), 187 g to lose fat, and 102 g to maintain weight.
How much protein per meal for 85 kg?
Split over 4 meals, the muscle-building target of 170 g works out to about 43 g per meal. The fat-loss target of 187 g is about 47 g per meal.
How many grams of protein per pound is that for 187 lb?
The muscle-building target of 2 g per kg is about 0.91 g per pound of body weight. For 187 lb that is roughly 170 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.