Find out how many calories you burn skating by entering your weight, skating activity type, and duration. The Skating Calories Burned Calculator uses MET values to give you a calorie estimate for ice dancing, recreational skating, speed skating, and more. Choose your preferred unit system and get your total calories burned along with a per-minute rate.
Calories Burned
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Calories Per Minute
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Calories Per Hour
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MET Value
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Total Duration
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It depends on your weight and the type of skating. A 160-pound person burns roughly 387 calories per hour ice skating at a general pace (MET 7.0), around 500 calories doing fast ice skating, and up to 735 calories per hour in competitive speed skating. Heavier individuals burn more calories for the same activity.
The calculator uses the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) method: Calories = MET × weight in kg × duration in hours. Each skating activity has a published MET value from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The result is an estimate based on average physiology and does not account for individual fitness level or skating technique.
At a general recreational pace, both ice skating and roller skating share similar MET values (around 7.0), so calorie burn is comparable. However, fast roller skating (MET ~9.8) burns slightly more than fast recreational ice skating, while competitive speed skating on ice (MET 13.3) tops all variants.
Yes — skating is an effective cardiovascular exercise that burns significant calories while being lower-impact than running. Skating regularly at a moderate to vigorous pace, combined with a controlled diet, can contribute meaningfully to a caloric deficit and support weight loss over time.
Running typically burns more calories per hour than recreational skating for most people. A 160-lb person running at 6 mph burns around 600 kcal/hr, while general ice skating burns around 387 kcal/hr. However, competitive speed skating can rival running in calorie expenditure, and skating is gentler on the joints.
Skating primarily works the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, and calves. It also engages the core muscles for balance and stability, and the upper body (arms and shoulders) is used for momentum and turns. Speed skating adds extra emphasis on the inner thighs and hip abductors.
It depends on the intensity. Moderate cycling (12–14 mph) has a MET of around 8.0, while general skating sits at MET 7.0. At similar effort levels, cycling and skating burn a comparable number of calories, though high-intensity skating or cycling will both significantly increase calorie expenditure.
Increase your speed, incorporate interval sprints, skate uphill or on varied terrain, extend your session duration, and minimize rest breaks. Carrying a small amount of extra weight (such as wearing a weight vest) also increases calorie burn, as the MET formula scales directly with body weight.