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Daily Water Intake Calculator


Do you wait until you feel thirsty before drinking water? Thirst indicates some degree of dehydration. This calculator helps you determine the approximate daily water intake needed to avoid dehydration.
Water is essential for life and the most vital nutrient and Its absence can usually be lethal within just a few days. It is important for both our physical and mental function Water is essential for all our metabolic functions including temperature regulation, nerve conduction, and many chemical reactions. We maintain our normal state of hydration or euhydration by control of both water intake and loss.

Strangely the question of optimal intake of water remains elusive and unresolved but an approximate range and avoiding thirst a good indicators to avoid dehydration(1 Trusted Source
Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement

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)

Calculate Daily Water Requirement

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Recommended Daily Water Intake

The recommended amount of water varies significantly based on factors such as age, gender, body size, daily activity level, and the physical environment.

For example, athletes often require additional fluids due to water loss from intense physical exertion. Similarly, people living in tropical climates may need more water to compensate for increased sweating due to higher temperatures.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women also need to increase their fluid intake to support the needs of their body and their baby's health(2 Trusted Source
Hydration, water intake and beverage consumption habits among adults

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). They require additional fluids including water that can vary from 500mls to 2 liters a day.

Thirst Sensation and Water Intake

Thirst does not signal a decrease in your body's water level; rather, it serves as an alert that you're already dehydrated and should hydrate promptly. When you start feeling thirsty, it means your body has already lost between 1 to 2 percent of its water(3 Trusted Source
Problem: Thirst, drinking behavior, and involuntary dehydration.

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,4 Trusted Source
Physiology of the Urge to Drink and Problems of Water Lack.

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).

Thirst is a very subjective sensation and helps maintain the body's fluid balance(5 Trusted Source
The Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise-Induced Dehydration.

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). Drink water at regular intervals, so that you don't get dehydrated. On average, a sedentary adult should drink 1.5 litres of plain water per day(6 Trusted Source
Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological basis of hydration.

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) however the recommended total daily fluid (water plus other beverages) intake is 3 litres for men and of 2.2 litres for women(7 Trusted Source
How much water do we really need to drink?

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). However this recommendation can vary from country to country. For example, in the UK, the recommended total daily water intake is about 2 liters for women and 2.5 liters for men. However, in tropical countries, where people tend to sweat more due to the hotter climate, the recommended water intake is higher. Furthermore, global warming is impacting our hydration needs, as rising temperatures may increase the body's demand for fluids. One consequence of inadequate fluid intake, exacerbated by global warming, is an increased incidence of kidney stone formation(8 Trusted Source
Climate Change and the Kidney

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)
Top 7 Reasons You Could be Excessively Thirsty

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Important and interesting Water Facts:

The human body is composed of almost 60%-70% water.(9 Trusted Source
Water, Hydration and Health

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)
Small amounts of beverages like Tea, Coffee or Alcohol does not cause dehydration, as previously believed.(10 Trusted Source
No evidence of dehydration with moderate daily coffee intake: a counterbalanced cross-over study in a free-living population.

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)
Drink a glass of water before a meal. It not only controls your weight but can also help protect your stomach wall from the harmful effects of digestive acids.(11 Trusted Source
Effect of Pre-meal Water Consumption on Energy Intake and Satiety in Non-obese Young Adults.

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)
Drinking enough water helps you lose weight, stay physically active, and prevent heart disease because, without water, the body can't metabolize fat adequately.(12 Trusted Source
Increased Hydration Can Be Associated with Weight Loss.

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)
The symptoms of dehydration include headache, stomachache, behavioral changes, and depression.(13 Trusted Source
Adult Dehydration

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)
Cognitive functions like concentration, memory, and critical thinking decline when there is over a 2% body water loss.(14 Trusted Source
Dehydration and Cognitive Performance.

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,15 Trusted Source
Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Sodium, Chloride, Potassium and Sulfate.

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)
A 22%-30% loss of total body water can lead to coma and death.
Packaged drinking water in bottles does have an expiry date.
Total water intake (and the contribution from soft drinks) is markedly higher in the USA than in Europe.

FAQs:

1. How much water should I drink a day?

The recommended daily intake of water is 3 liters, or 100 ounces, for men, and 2.2 liters, or 77 ounces, for women.(16 Trusted Source
How much water do we really need to drink?

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).

2. Howmuch water should I drink to lose weight?

Water intake itself may not assist in losing weight but if combined with restriction of calories then according to several studies, consuming 2 cups of water approximately 20 to 30 minutes before your meal makes you feel full and hence may help in weight loss(17 Trusted Source
Water consumption increases weight loss during a hypocaloric diet intervention in middle-aged and older adults.

Go to source
).

3. Howmuch water should I drink based on my weight?

The average person needs to drink around half of their weight (in pounds) in ounces. For example, a 200-pound individual needs around 100 ounces (3000 ml) of water daily(18 Trusted Source
The Hydration Equation: Update on Water Balance and Cognitive Performance.

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).

4. What are the benefits of drinking the required amount of water?

The benefits of drinking the required amount of water include boosting energy and reducing tiredness, helping with hydration, flushing out toxins, improving skin texture, and maintaining stability(19 Trusted Source
Water and Healthier Drinks

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).

5. How much water should my child drink?

Children aged 1-3 require around 4 cups of liquid per day, which includes water or milk. This increases to about 5 cups for 48 year olds and 7-8 cups for older children(20 Trusted Source
Beverage Consumption Patterns among Infants and Young Children (0⁻47.9 Months): Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study, 2016.

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).

6. What percentage of our daily water comes from drinks or beverages other than water?

In a review of sixty-five studies from 2000 to 2013, it was noted that plain water contributed up to 58%, 75%, and 80% of the total beverage intake in children, adolescents, and adults, respectively.
Children consumed more milk, while adolescents had a higher intake of soft drinks. In contrast, adults tended to consume more tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages(21 Trusted Source
Fluid intake from beverages across age groups

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).

7. Can excessive drinking of water be harmful?

Yes, excessive drinking of water over several days can be harmful and, in extreme situations, may lead to water intoxication, especially if someone drinks 10 to 15 liters of water a day for several days. However, this is unusual if kidney function is normal, as healthy kidneys can typically process a significant amount of water. Still, it's important to be aware of the risks of over-hydration(22 Trusted Source
Water intoxication due to excessive water intake: observation of initiation stage

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).

8. What are the symptoms and signs of water intoxication?

Water intoxication can cause vague symptoms like altered mental status, disorientation, confusion, nausea, and vomiting which may resemble psychosis(23 Trusted Source
Water Toxicity

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).

9. Can I form kidney stones if I dont drink enough water or fluids?

Low water and overall fluid intake can lead to an increased risk of stone formation. Current guidelines recommend drinking enough fluids to produce at least 2.5 L of urine daily(24 Trusted Source
Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline

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).

10.  How many bottles of water should you drink a day?

For women aiming for around 2.2 liters a day, that's about 4-5 bottles (16.9 ounces for each bottle).
Men targeting 3 liters can aim for 6 bottles per day.
Adjust based on personal factors like activity level and climate.

11. How to calculate the minimum daily water intake?

The general guideline for estimating daily minimum daily water intake is to multiply your body weight in kilograms by 0.03
For example, someone weighing 70 kilograms (Daily Water Intake=700.03=2.1 liters) should aim for a minimum of around 2.1 liters of water per day as per the calculation. However, the average intake should be 3 liters for men and 2.2 liters for women.
Keep in mind that individual factors such as activity level and climate can influence hydration needs(25 Trusted Source
Total water intake by kilogram of body weight: Analysis of the Australian 2011 to 2013 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey

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).

12. How many ounces of water are in a glass?

A standard glass contains 8 ounces, and one gallon equals sixteen glasses (each glass has 8 ounces) of water. For daily intake, the general guidelines recommend around 8 glasses or 64 ounces for water.
Ounces to liters conversion:

8 ounces of water is approximately 0.24 liters(26 Trusted Source
"Drink at least eight glasses of water a day." Really? Is there scientific evidence for "8 x 8"?

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).

13. How can I easily calculate my minimum daily water requirement?

Begin by noting your weight in pounds. Then, multiply your weight by 0.67 (⅔) to establish your minimum daily water requirement.
Formula: 0.67 x Weight in Pounds(27 Trusted Source
How to Calculate How Much Water You Should Drink A Day

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).

14. How should one modify their water intake based on their level of physical activity or exercise?

To adapt your water intake based on physical activity, add 12 ounces of water to your daily total for every 30 minutes of exercise. This adjustment compensates for water loss through sweat, ensuring proper hydration.(28 Trusted Source
https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=2762&return=archive

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).

15. How much water does an average person consume over different periods of their life, including monthly, annually, and over an average lifetime of 80 years?

An average human being drinks approximately:

  • 90 liters (3,043.26 ounces) of water in a month,
  • 1,095 liters (37,026.33 ounces) of water in a year, and
  • 87,600 liters (2,962,106.4 ounces) of water in a lifetime, assuming an average lifespan of 80 years.
These calculations are based on an average daily water intake of about 3 liters (or approximately 101.44 ounces per day).

16. How much water do we need for daily for showering, bathing, Face and hand washing?

To estimate the amount of water used daily, monthly, and yearly for washing and bathing, let's use some average figures for common activities.

  • Showering: On average, a shower uses about 10 liters (2.64 gallons) of water per minute. A 10-minute shower, therefore, uses 100 liters.
  • Bathing: A full bathtub requires about 150 liters (39.6 gallons) of water
  • Handwashing: It's estimated that washing hands uses about 1 liter (0.26 gallons) of water per wash, assuming the tap runs for approximately 20 seconds.
  • Face and hand washing: Let's allocate 5 liters per day for miscellaneous washing.
Assuming one showers daily, the calculation would primarily focus on showering, with additional allowances for other forms of washing.

17. How much water do we need daily, monthly or yearly for washing and bathing?

Let's calculate the total daily, monthly, and yearly water usage for an average person's washing and bathing needs.

For washing and bathing, an average person uses approximately:

  • Daily: 110 liters (3,719.54 ounces) of water
  • Monthly: 3,300 liters (111,586.2 ounces) of water
  • Yearly: 40,150 liters (1,357,632.1 ounces) of water
These estimates are based on daily showering and regular hand and face washing. The actual usage may vary depending on individual habits and the efficiency of water fixtures.

18. How much water can Elephant Drink?

While humans rely heavily on water for survival, the animal kingdom presents some fascinating extremes in water usage. One intriguing example is the elephant, which is among the largest consumers of water in the animal kingdom. An adult elephant can drink up to 200 liters (approximately 6,800 ounces) of water in a single day. This high consumption is necessary to support its massive size, dietary needs, and to maintain hydration in often hot habitats.

19. How much water does a camel need ?

when it comes to efficiency and minimal water use, the camel is an iconic example. Camels are renowned for their ability to go for days or even weeks without drinking water, thanks to their ability to conserve water and their bodies' efficient use of moisture from the food they eat. This adaptation is crucial for survival in the arid desert environments they often inhabit.

  • 1. Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6315424/)
  • 2. Hydration, water intake and beverage consumption habits among adults
    (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2012.01976.x)
  • 3. Problem: Thirst, drinking behavior, and involuntary dehydration.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1602937/)
  • 4. Physiology of the Urge to Drink and Problems of Water Lack.
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1869230/)
  • 5. The Utility of Thirst as a Measure of Hydration Status Following Exercise-Induced Dehydration.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31703247/)
  • 6. Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological basis of hydration.
    (https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.111)
  • 7. How much water do we really need to drink?
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20356431/)
  • 8. Climate Change and the Kidney
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31203298/)
  • 9. Water, Hydration and Health
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/)
  • 10. No evidence of dehydration with moderate daily coffee intake: a counterbalanced cross-over study in a free-living population.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24416202/)
  • 11. Effect of Pre-meal Water Consumption on Energy Intake and Satiety in Non-obese Young Adults.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30406058/)
  • 12. Increased Hydration Can Be Associated with Weight Loss.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27376070/)
  • 13. Adult Dehydration
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/)
  • 14. Dehydration and Cognitive Performance.
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17921464/)
  • 15. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Sodium, Chloride, Potassium and Sulfate.
    (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/10925/dietary-reference-intakes-for-water-potassium-sodium-chloride-and-sulfate)
  • 16. How much water do we really need to drink?
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20356431/)
  • 17. Water consumption increases weight loss during a hypocaloric diet intervention in middle-aged and older adults.
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859815/ )
  • 18. The Hydration Equation: Update on Water Balance and Cognitive Performance.
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207053/ )
  • 19. Water and Healthier Drinks
    (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html )
  • 20. Beverage Consumption Patterns among Infants and Young Children (0⁻47.9 Months): Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study, 2016.
    (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073729/ )
  • 21. Fluid intake from beverages across age groups
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24935211/)
  • 22. Water intoxication due to excessive water intake: observation of initiation stage
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3626165/)
  • 23. Water Toxicity
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30725916/)
  • 24. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24857648/)
  • 25. Total water intake by kilogram of body weight: Analysis of the Australian 2011 to 2013 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34327801/)
  • 26. "Drink at least eight glasses of water a day." Really? Is there scientific evidence for "8 x 8"?
    (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12376390/)
  • 27. How to Calculate How Much Water You Should Drink A Day
    (https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=2762&return=archive)
  • 28. https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=2762&return=archive
    (https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=2762&return=archive)
  • 29. Hydration, water intake and beverage consumption habits among adults
    (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2012.01976.x)

Post a Comment

Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. The editorial team reserves the right to review and moderate the comments posted on the site.

Comments

swapna-george-

Thank you

gaweet

does age matter? I'm below 18 by a lot and idk if this is the right amount.

angelo-epps

Wow it seems that i need to be drinking ALOT more water!

darisme

Caffeine in drinks is dehydrating but not that much. There will still be net hydration from, for example, drinking 16oz of coffee, but it would just be less due to the caffeine. It does not cancel out all the water you consume.

darlene-smith

Our bodies naturally let us know when we need water. We become aware by feeling tired and sluggish also we feel thirsty. Our throat and mouth become very dry with less saliva. Even our eyes can feel a little dry especially our skin when it feels itchy and dry. Drinking enough fluids daily helps our bodies to function properly. If we are drinking enough water each day we will feel at our best.



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