Children's Daily Nutrient Needs Calculator

Wondering whether your child is getting roughly the right amount of energy, protein, calcium, iron and vitamin D for their age? This free calculator shows the official UK reference values for healthy children by age band, so you have a general benchmark to refer to. It is designed as educational guidance, not a personalised nutritional assessment of your child.

How this is calculated

The figures in this calculator come directly from Public Health England's Government Dietary Recommendations(2016), which summarise the UK's official Dietary Reference Values for healthy children. These are themselves derived from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition's (SACN) Dietary Reference Values for Energy (2011), the 1991 COMA Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom, and SACN's Vitamin D and Health report (2016). Energy requirements are shown separately for boys and girls, as these differ between the sexes at every age band; protein, calcium, iron and vitamin D reference values are the same for both.

These are population averages intended for general use, not individual prescriptions. An individual child's actual requirements can vary based on their exact age, activity level, growth rate, and any health conditions they may have.

This calculator provides general reference information only and is not a personalised nutritional assessment of your child. If you have any concerns about your child's growth, feeding, or nutrient intake, please speak to your GP, health visitor, or a registered dietitian, who can properly assess your child's individual circumstances.

Related reading

• Children's Nutrition— how I support families with fussy eating, food allergies, and weaning
• Why Breakfast Matters for School Children
• What Is a Fussy Eater? A Nutritionist's Guide for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions