RMR Test Cost: What a Resting Metabolic Rate Test Costs

A cash-pay resting metabolic rate (RMR) test typically costs about $85 to $179. University and lower-cost labs run roughly $85-$110 (UC Davis Health lists $85; Fitnescity starts at $110), while DEXA and metabolic studios charge $129-$179 (DexaScan $129; DexaFit about $179). Standalone tests at major-metro studios can run higher — Fitnescity lists single RMR tests from $165 to $245 across its New York sites. The test itself is the same indirect-calorimetry breath measurement; price reflects setting, equipment, and whether a results consult is included. These are advertised estimates that change — confirm current pricing directly with the provider.

An RMR test measures how many calories your body burns at complete rest to keep basic functions running — heartbeat, breathing, temperature, brain activity. It uses indirect calorimetry: you sit or recline quietly and breathe into a mask or mouthpiece for about 10-20 minutes while the device measures the oxygen you consume and carbon dioxide you produce. From that gas exchange it calculates your resting calorie burn. It is a measurement, not a prediction. This is information, not medical advice.

Your RMR is the baseline — DexaFit notes it accounts for roughly 70% of the calories most people burn daily. To get your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), the resting number is multiplied by an activity factor for how much you move. Your calorie target is then set relative to TDEE: a deficit to lose fat, a surplus to gain, or maintenance. Measuring RMR instead of estimating it removes guesswork, but a clinician or dietitian should help translate it into a plan.

For an individual, usually yes. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises that "if possible, RMR should be measured" via indirect calorimetry, and to use the Mifflin-St Jeor equation only when measurement is not feasible. Prediction equations land within 10% of measured RMR in about 71% of people (Mifflin-St Jeor), meaning roughly one in three is off by more. A measured test is most useful if you have stalled, have an atypical body composition, or want a precise starting point.

Indirect calorimetry has its own CPT code (94690, "oxygen uptake, expired gas analysis; rest, indirect") and can be reimbursed by Medicare and some commercial plans when it is medically necessary and ordered by a clinician — for example as part of medical nutrition therapy. Coverage and the reimbursed amount vary by plan and locality, so there is no single guaranteed price. An RMR test bought directly at a fitness or wellness studio for weight-management goals is generally elective and paid out of pocket. Confirm coverage and any order requirement with your insurer and the provider.

Most labs ask you to arrive rested and fasted — commonly no food for about 4 hours and no caffeine, nicotine, or exercise that morning — so the reading reflects true resting metabolism rather than digestion or a workout. You then sit still and breathe normally during the measurement. Preparation rules vary by provider, so follow the specific instructions the clinic sends. Talk to your clinician about timing if you take medications that affect heart rate or metabolism.