Tennis Calories Burned Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/5/2026
Singles tennis burns about 8.0 MET, versus 6.0 MET for doubles. For a 70 kg person playing an hour of singles, that's about 560 kcal.
Explanation
The energy expenditure gap between singles and doubles tennis comes directly from the amount of court each player has to cover: in singles, one player alone is responsible for the entire opposing court, requiring more running, more changes of direction, and more sprints to reach every ball. In doubles, that same area is split between two players, which mechanically reduces the distance covered and the intensity of movement per player, hence the lower MET value (6.0 versus 8.0). These figures correspond to competitive or high-intensity play; a relaxed rally without the pace of a real match generally burns less than these estimates. As with the other calorie calculators on this site, the result remains an estimate based on average MET values: skill level, rally intensity, and individual fitness all make the real expenditure vary. See also our basketball calories calculator for another intermittent-intensity ball sport, or our running calories calculator for a continuous endurance activity.
Example for an hour of singles
Inputs
Weight: 70 kg. Duration: 1 hour. Format: singles (8.0 MET).
Calculation
Calories = 8.0 × 70 × 1 = 560 kcal.
Result
An hour of singles tennis burns about 560 kcal for a 70 kg person.
Frequently asked questions
Why does singles burn so many more calories than doubles?
Because a singles player alone covers the entirety of their side of the court, versus roughly half for each doubles player. This difference in ground to cover directly translates into more running and sprinting, and so a higher hourly energy expenditure.
Do these values apply to casual practice without a real match?
These figures correspond to match play, with the real intensity and phases of play that come with it. Hitting a basket of balls or a relaxed rally without the competitive pace of a real match generally burns less energy than these estimates, closer to a technical drill than a sustained cardio effort.
Is tennis a good cardiovascular exercise?
Yes: at 6.0-8.0 MET, tennis comfortably exceeds the 6.0 MET threshold used by US health authorities to define vigorous-intensity physical activity, especially in singles. The intermittent nature of the game (short sprints alternating with recovery between points) also makes it a good exercise for power and reactivity, not just endurance.