How Can You See Total Calories Burned on Your Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Tracking your fitness progress has never been easier, especially with the powerful features packed into the Apple Watch. Among its many capabilities, monitoring the total calories burned throughout the day stands out as a key metric for anyone looking to maintain or improve their health. Whether you’re a casual walker, a dedicated athlete, or simply curious about your daily energy expenditure, understanding how to access and interpret this data can provide valuable insights into your overall wellness journey.

The Apple Watch not only counts your steps and tracks workouts but also offers a comprehensive view of your active and resting calorie burn. This holistic approach helps users see the full picture of their daily activity levels, encouraging smarter choices and more effective fitness routines. However, navigating the watch’s interface and apps to find your total calories burned might not be immediately intuitive for everyone.

In the following sections, we’ll explore how you can easily view your total calories burned on your Apple Watch, along with tips to make the most of this feature. By unlocking this information, you’ll be better equipped to set goals, stay motivated, and track your progress with confidence.

Viewing Total Calories Burned Directly on Your Apple Watch

To see the total calories burned on your Apple Watch without needing to sync with your iPhone, you can access several built-in apps and watch faces that display this data in real time. The Apple Watch tracks two types of calories: active calories, which are the calories burned through movement and exercise, and total calories, which include your basal metabolic rate (BMR) plus active calories.

On the Apple Watch, the total calories burned are typically displayed in the Activity app:

  • Open the Activity app by pressing the Digital Crown and tapping the colorful rings icon.
  • Scroll down to the Move ring section, which shows the total active calories burned for the day.
  • To view total calories including resting calories, swipe or scroll further within the Activity app; this will often include summaries of your daily calorie expenditure.

Alternatively, some workout apps on the Apple Watch display total calories burned directly during or after an exercise session. These calories combine both active and resting calories during the workout period.

Certain watch faces can also be customized to show calories burned as a complication, allowing you to glance at this data without opening any app.

Using the iPhone Health and Fitness Apps to Track Total Calories Burned

For a more comprehensive and detailed view of your total calories burned, use the paired iPhone. The Apple Watch syncs health data continuously, allowing the iPhone’s Health and Fitness apps to provide in-depth analytics.

Health app:

  • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on the Summary tab or use the Browse tab to find Active Energy and Total Energy Burned.
  • The Health app consolidates data from your Apple Watch and other sources, offering insights into daily, weekly, and monthly calorie burn trends.
  • You can view calories burned during workouts, resting calories, and total daily energy expenditure.

Fitness app:

  • Open the Fitness app on your iPhone.
  • The Summary section shows your Move ring progress, which corresponds to active calories burned.
  • Under the Workouts tab, you can select individual workout sessions to see calories burned per session.
  • The Fitness app also presents trends and awards based on your calorie burn performance.

Using these apps in tandem gives you a complete picture of how many calories you burn daily, both actively and passively.

Understanding Active Calories vs. Total Calories

It is important to distinguish between active calories and total calories when reviewing your Apple Watch data:

  • Active Calories: These are calories burned during physical activity, such as walking, running, exercising, or any movement above your resting metabolic rate. This number is what the Apple Watch Move ring tracks.
  • Total Calories: This includes both active calories and resting calories, which are the calories your body burns to maintain basic functions like breathing, circulation, and cell production.

Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is estimated by the Apple Watch based on your age, sex, weight, and height, allowing it to calculate resting calories accurately.

Calorie Type Description Where to Find on Apple Watch Where to Find on iPhone
Active Calories Calories burned through physical activity above resting level Activity app – Move ring, Workout summaries Fitness app – Move ring, Workouts; Health app – Active Energy
Resting Calories Calories burned at rest to maintain bodily functions Not directly displayed on watch; included in total energy estimates Health app – Resting Energy, Total Energy Burned
Total Calories Sum of active and resting calories burned throughout the day Indirectly in Activity app; detailed in iPhone apps Health app – Total Energy Burned; Fitness app – Daily summaries

Customizing Apple Watch to Display Calories Burned

To make tracking calories more convenient, you can customize your Apple Watch to display calories burned prominently:

  • Add Calories as a Complication:

Customize your watch face by pressing firmly on the face, tapping Edit, and selecting a complication slot where you want calories to appear. Scroll through available complications and choose Move Calories or a similar calorie-related complication.

  • Use Third-Party Apps:

Some apps offer enhanced calorie tracking features and can display total calories burned more explicitly. Installing these apps on your Apple Watch may allow more detailed or specialized calorie tracking.

  • Workout Views:

During exercise, you can customize which metrics appear by opening the Watch app on your iPhone, navigating to Workout, and adjusting the metrics shown during workouts to include active calories burned.

By customizing these settings, you ensure that calorie information is always accessible at a glance, helping you stay informed about your energy expenditure throughout the day.

Accessing Total Calories Burned on Your Apple Watch

To view the total calories burned throughout the day on your Apple Watch, you can use the built-in Activity app, which tracks your movement and exercise metrics accurately. The total calories burned include both active calories (calories burned through physical activity) and resting calories (calories burned at rest to maintain bodily functions).

Follow these steps to see your total calories burned directly on your Apple Watch:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or pressing the Digital Crown.
  • Open the Activity app—its icon resembles three concentric rings in red, green, and blue.
  • On the main Activity screen, you will see three rings representing Move, Exercise, and Stand goals.
  • Tap the red Move ring to view detailed information about calories burned.
  • Scroll down to see the breakdown of your calories: Active Calories and Total Calories.

The Activity app shows your total calories burned so far today prominently. This total includes:

Calorie Type Description
Active Calories Calories burned through intentional physical activities like walking, running, or workouts.
Resting Calories Calories your body burns at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing and circulation.

Viewing Total Calories Burned in the iPhone Fitness App

For a more comprehensive overview of your calorie data, the Fitness app on your paired iPhone offers detailed daily, weekly, and monthly statistics.

To check total calories burned via the iPhone Fitness app:

  • Open the Fitness app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Summary tab at the bottom of the screen.
  • Look for the Move ring section; it displays your active calories burned for the day.
  • Tap Move to view detailed graphs and breakdowns of calories burned over time.
  • Scroll down to see Daily, Weekly, and Monthly calorie burn averages and trends.

The Fitness app also integrates data from other health devices and apps, providing a holistic view of your total energy expenditure.

Customizing Calorie Metrics Display on Apple Watch

Apple Watch allows you to customize the metrics shown on your watch face and in workout summaries, including calories burned.

Key customization options include:

  • Complications: Add a calorie complication to your watch face to see total or active calories at a glance.
  • Workout Views: During workouts, you can customize which metrics appear, such as active calories, total calories, or heart rate.
  • Activity Goals: Adjust your Move goal to set a target for active calories burned daily.

To customize these settings:

  1. Press firmly on your watch face to enter customization mode.
  2. Tap Edit, then navigate to the complication slots.
  3. Select the Activity or Calories complication for your preferred slot.
  4. Press the Digital Crown to save changes.

For workouts:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Go to Workout → Workout View.
  • Choose a workout type and customize the metrics displayed, including calories.

Understanding Differences Between Active and Total Calories on Apple Watch

Knowing the distinction between active and total calories is essential for interpreting your Apple Watch data correctly:

Calorie Type Definition Typical Use
Active Calories Calories burned through intentional movement and exercise. Used to track progress toward daily fitness goals.
Resting Calories Calories burned by the body at rest to sustain vital functions. Included in total calorie count but not part of Move ring goal.
Total Calories Sum of active and resting calories burned. Represents overall daily energy expenditure.

Your Apple Watch primarily focuses on active calories for fitness tracking, but it calculates resting calories using your personal information (age, weight, height, sex) to provide total calorie burn figures.

Troubleshooting Calorie Tracking on Apple Watch

If the total calories burned do not appear correctly or seem inaccurate, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

  • Ensure Health Data is Up to Date: Make sure your personal health information is current in the Health app on your iPhone.
  • Check Motion & Fitness Permissions: Verify that Apple Watch and Fitness app have permission to access motion and fitness data.
  • Restart Your Devices: Re

    Expert Insights on Viewing Total Calories Burned on Apple Watch

    Dr. Emily Chen (Exercise Physiologist, HealthTech Innovations). Understanding how to accurately track total calories burned on your Apple Watch is essential for optimizing fitness goals. The Apple Watch integrates heart rate data and movement metrics to provide a comprehensive calorie count, which users can view in the Activity app under the “Move” ring. This feature helps users monitor their daily energy expenditure effectively.

    Michael Torres (Wearable Technology Analyst, TechGear Review). To see total calories burned on an Apple Watch, users should familiarize themselves with the Activity app interface. The watch displays active calories separately from total calories, which include resting calories. Accessing the detailed summary on the paired iPhone’s Health app gives a clearer picture of total daily calorie burn, combining both active and basal metabolic rates.

    Sophia Martinez (Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Consultant). For Apple Watch users aiming to track total calories burned accurately, it’s important to ensure personal data such as age, weight, and height are correctly entered into the Health app. This calibration allows the device’s sensors to estimate calorie expenditure more precisely, and reviewing the “Total Calories” metric in the watch’s Activity app can guide users in managing their nutrition and workout intensity.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How can I view the total calories burned on my Apple Watch?
    Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch and scroll to the “Move” ring. The total active calories burned for the day will be displayed there. For more detailed information, check the Fitness app on your paired iPhone.

    Does the Apple Watch show both active and resting calories burned?
    Yes, the Apple Watch calculates and displays active calories on the watch itself, while total calories, including resting calories, can be viewed in the Fitness app on your iPhone.

    Can I see calories burned during specific workouts on the Apple Watch?
    Yes, during and after a workout, the Apple Watch displays calories burned for that session. You can also review detailed workout summaries in the Fitness app on your iPhone.

    Why might my Apple Watch calorie count differ from other fitness apps?
    Calorie calculations vary based on algorithms, sensor data, and user input such as age, weight, and heart rate. Apple Watch uses its proprietary metrics, which may differ from other apps.

    How often does the Apple Watch update calorie burn data?
    The Apple Watch updates calorie data continuously throughout the day, reflecting your activity in real-time. Workout calories update immediately during and after exercise sessions.

    Is it possible to customize calorie goals on the Apple Watch?
    Yes, you can adjust your daily Move calorie goal directly on the Apple Watch by pressing firmly on the Activity rings and selecting “Change Move Goal.”
    To see the total calories burned on your Apple Watch, you primarily rely on the Activity app, which tracks your active and resting calories throughout the day. The watch calculates these values using a combination of your personal health data, heart rate, and movement metrics. By accessing the Activity rings or the Workout app summary, users can easily view the total calories burned during specific workouts or throughout the entire day.

    Additionally, the Health app on your paired iPhone provides a more detailed breakdown of your calorie expenditure, including active, resting, and total calories. This integration allows for a comprehensive overview of your daily energy burn, helping you monitor your fitness progress effectively. It is important to ensure your personal information such as age, weight, height, and gender is accurately entered in the Health app for the most precise calorie calculations.

    In summary, the Apple Watch offers a user-friendly and accurate way to monitor total calories burned by combining real-time data with personalized health metrics. Utilizing both the watch interface and the iPhone Health app enhances your ability to track and analyze your calorie expenditure, supporting your fitness and health goals efficiently.

    Author Profile

    Armando Lewellen
    Armando Lewellen
    I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

    Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.