Water Intake Calculator

How much water should I drink? Daily target in liters, ml and cups.

Reviewed by the WorldCalcs team · Methodology · Last reviewed: June 2026

Daily water target

2.45 L

About 2 450 ml — roughly 10.3 cups (1 cup = 237 ml).

This is a general estimate, not medical advice. Real needs vary with climate, diet, health and activity. See our Disclaimer.

What is a water intake calculator?

A water intake calculator estimates how much water you should drink in a day, based on your body weight and how much you exercise. It is a helpful starting point rather than a strict rule: your real needs change with the weather, your diet (food provides water too), pregnancy, illness and how active you are. Use it as a daily target and adjust by listening to your body.

How it's calculated

A common rule of thumb is about 35 ml of water per kilogram of body weight, plus roughly 350 ml extra for every 30 minutes of exercise to replace what you lose through sweat. If you enter your weight in pounds, it is converted to kilograms first. The result is shown in liters, milliliters and cups so you can track it whichever way you prefer.

Example

A person weighing 70 kg with no exercise has a target of about 70 × 35 = 2,450 ml, or 2.45 liters (around 10 cups). Adding 30 minutes of exercise raises it to about 2,800 ml.

Pair this with our Calorie Calculator and BMR Calculator to round out your daily plan.

All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is sent, stored, or tracked.

Results are estimates and may contain errors — for general information only, not professional advice. Always verify before relying on them. Disclaimer

How to use

Pick metric or imperial, enter your weight, and add the minutes of exercise you do per day. The result updates instantly in liters, milliliters and cups.

This is a daily target — adjust based on climate, diet and how thirsty you feel.

Frequently asked questions

How much water should I drink a day?+

A common estimate is about 35 ml per kg of body weight; for 70 kg that is roughly 2.5 liters, more if you exercise.

Does water from food count?+

Yes; food (especially fruit and vegetables) provides a meaningful share of your daily water, so drinking targets are a guide, not a hard floor.

Do I need more water when exercising?+

Yes; add roughly 350 ml for every 30 minutes of activity to replace sweat losses.

Do coffee and tea count toward water intake?+

Mostly yes; despite a mild diuretic effect, the fluid in tea and coffee still contributes to hydration.

Is the "8 glasses a day" rule correct?+

It is a rough guide; a weight-based estimate like this one is usually more personalised.

Can you drink too much water?+

Yes; very excessive intake in a short time can dilute blood sodium (hyponatremia), so spread water through the day.

Does body weight affect how much water I need?+

Yes; larger bodies generally need more water, which is why this estimate scales with weight.

How do I know if I am drinking enough?+

Pale-yellow urine and rarely feeling thirsty are good general signs; check with a professional for medical concerns.

References

  • General hydration guidance — approximately 35 ml of water per kg of body weight per day is a widely used rule of thumb; total water needs also include water from food.