Daily Water Intake Calculator (By Weight & Activity)

How much water should you drink a day?

The National Academies set adequate total water intake at about 3.7 liters a day for men and 2.7 liters for women — and that includes water from food (about 20%) and all beverages. So plain drinking water of roughly 2–3 liters (8–12 cups) covers most adults; more in heat or with training. There is no evidence that everyone needs “8 glasses” — thirst and pale-yellow urine are reliable guides for healthy adults.

Water intake by weight

A common rule of thumb is 30–35 ml per kg of body weight (about half an ounce per pound): 70 kg → 2.1–2.5 liters. It is a starting point, not a prescription; the calculator adjusts it for activity and climate. Larger, more active bodies lose more water through sweat and breathing.

Recommended water intake by age

Needs change little between 19 and 70, but thirst becomes a weaker signal with age, so older adults benefit from scheduled drinking. Children and teens have lower absolute needs (about 1.7–2.6 liters total water); pregnancy raises the adequate intake to about 3.0 liters and breastfeeding to 3.8 liters.

Water and weight loss

Drinking water before meals can slightly reduce intake at that meal, and replacing sugary drinks with water cuts calories directly — that is where the “water helps you lose weight” effect comes from. Water itself does not burn meaningful calories.

Signs you are not drinking enough

Dark yellow urine, headache, fatigue, dry mouth and dizziness on standing. In hot weather or long workouts add 400–800 ml per hour of exercise and include some sodium if you sweat heavily — see the electrolyte drinks guide.

Sources

• National Academies, Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Sulfate (2005) — https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/HMD-FNB-19-P-139/publication/10925
• Mayo Clinic, Water: how much should you drink every day? — https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
• NIH, DRI summary table (water AI) — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56068/table/summarytables.t4/

This calculator is educational and not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18, ask a clinician before changing your diet.