How to Calculate How Much Water You Should Drink A Day

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Learn how much water to drink daily including ideas for staying hydrated, weight loss, a water intake calculator, and more.

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Lots of people don't realize the true importance of drinking enough water every day and how it can impact both your health and your weight loss efforts.

According to experts in a recent study, drinking just 2 cups of water, which is smaller than the size of a bottled soda, before meals helped dieters lose an extra five pounds yearly and help you maintain your weight loss.

Additionally drinking the right amount of water daily can actually speed up your metabolic rate and help to curb overeating when your body confused hunger and thirst. But how much water is enough?

Here is how to calculate how much water you should drink a day for both health and weight loss benefits.

  1. Your weight: The first step to knowing how much water to drink every day is to know your weight. The amount of water a person should drink varies on their weight, which makes sense because the more someone weighs the more water they need to drink. A two hundred pound man and 100 pound woman require different amounts of water every day.
  2. Multiply by 2/3: Next you want to multiply your weight by 2/3 (or 67%) to determine how much water to drink daily. For example, if you weighed 175 pounds you would multiply that by 2/3 and learn you should be drinking about 117 ounces of water every day.
  3. Activity Level: Finally you will want to adjust that number based on how often you work out since you are expelling water when you sweat. You should add 12 ounces of water to your daily total for every 30 minutes that you work out. So if you work out for 45 minutes daily, you would add 18 ounces of water to your daily intake.

Daily Water Intake Calculator

Use this hydration calculator to learn how much water you should drink daily based on your weight and activity level.

It is recommend that you drink: Enter your information above and hit "calculate"

How Much Water You Should Drink Per Day in Ounces

To make it a little easier to calculate how much water to drink every day, here are the recommended amounts for a range of weights. Remember to adjust for your activity level.

Weight Ounces of Water Daily
100 pounds 67 ounces
110 pounds 74 ounces
120 pounds 80 ounces
130 pounds 87 ounces
140 pounds 94 ounces
150 pounds 100 ounces
160 pounds 107 ounces
170 pounds 114 ounces
180 pounds 121 ounces
190 pounds 127 ounces
200 pounds 134 ounces
210 pounds 141 ounces
220 pounds 148 ounces
230 pounds 154 ounces
240 pounds 161 ounces
250 pounds 168 ounces

How Much Water You Should Drink Per Day in Cups

Here is the same info in cups for those who prefer that measurement option. Remember although this may seem like a lot, the minimum recommendation from the US National Academy of Science is 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women.

Weight Ounces of Water Daily
100 pounds 8.3 cups
110 pounds 9.25 cups
120 pounds 10 cups
130 pounds 10.8 cups
140 pounds 11.75 cups
150 pounds 12.5 cups
160 pounds 13.3 ounces
170 pounds 14.25 cups
180 pounds 15.1 cups
190 pounds 15.8 cups
200 pounds 16.75 cups
210 pounds 17.725 cups
220 pounds 18.5 cups
230 pounds 19.25 cups
240 pounds 20 cups
250 pounds 21 cups

Tips for Reaching Your Daily Water Goals

So now that you know how much water you should be drinking every day, let's talk about how to make sure you actually get enough. Drinking over 100 ounces of water may seem impossible at first, but with these easy tips, you can reach your goal in no time.

  • Drink 2 cups (16 oz) of water before every meal: Science has proven that drinking 2 cups of water before every meal helps you to eat less during meal time and lose weight. If you do this three times daily - at breakfast, lunch, and dinner - you have already consumed 48 ounces of water.
  • Morning and Night: Get into the habit of drinking one glass (16 oz) of water when you wake up and another 8 oz glass before you go to sleep every night. This will add another 24 ounces of water to your daily intake. The easiest way to do this is to keep a glass or container of water at your bedside, that way as soon as you wake up and start your day, you can begin drinking water.
  • Keep Track By Your Container: One thing that has proven to help people consume enough water daily is to buy a special container for their water, like this one or this one, and set a goal of how many times they will fill an finish the container. For example, if you buy a 16 oz container and need to drink 80 ounces of water a day, your goal would be to drink 5 of those daily. Need to drink more water? Try a larger container.
  • Infuse Your Water With Flavor: Water doesn't have to be boring and infusing your water with fruit, herbs, and other flavors can make it much easier to reach your daily goal. Try adding cucumber, strawberries,lemons, limes, and fresh herbs to create flavorful water. This fruit infusion water pitcher is a great way to always have great tasting water on hand.
  • Bubbles: Consider carbonated and sparkling water in addition to regular water. Many people find that adding sparkling water and 0 calorie flavored water makes drinking water throughout the day more fun. Find yourself drinking lots of expensive sparkling water? Consider buying a sodastream and make your own delicious sparkling beverages at home.

What are the benefits of drinking enough water daily?

Water is essential for our bodies to functions correctly and efficiently. It’s vital to our health and can have a huge impact on our overall health and wellness. Most of us know this, but do you actually know why water is so important. Here are the main benefits of staying hydrated:

  • Aids digestion and prevents constipation
  • Carries oxygen and nutrients to you cells
  • Helps stabilize blood pressure and heartbeat
  • Supports healthy joints and joint function
  • Helps regulate body temperature
  • Potentially lowers the risk for disease in the future such as cancer, heart disease, hugh blood pressure, kidney stones, and stroke

How much water should I drink to lose weight?

Drinking water supports weight loss, although it's not a direct solution for shedding pounds. Drinking enough water as part of your daily routine offers the following benefits for a successful weight loss journey.

  • Drinking water promotes fullness and prevents confusion between dehydration and hunger signals, reducing unnecessary snacking.
  • Consuming water before meals suppresses appetite, helping control portion sizes and support mindful eating. You are less likely to overeat if you are fully hydrated.
    • For optimal results, combine water with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Adopting a lifestyle that includes staying hydrated, eating sensible portions and nutritious foods, and engaging in physical activity is the best way to lose weight.

      More Questions and Answers About How Much Water to Drink

      What liquids count towards your daily water goal?

      Pretty much all liquids count towards your daily water intake goals. This includes sparkling water, juice, milk, tea, coffee, smoothies, and even soda and diet soda. However, the best and most affordable option is always plain water. And it better for your body than other beverages according to this Harvard study.

      A few notes about caffeine. For a long time, people believed that drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, actually counted against your daily water intake since they are diuretics. However, recent studies suggest that this might not actually be the case.

      One other important note, food also contributes to your daily water goals. Some foods, like watermelon, is almost 100% water and therefore counts as well. Since this can be hard to track, just think of food as extra water you are having every day instead of trying to track it.

      How much water is too much?

      Many people wonder if there is actually a point where you can drink too much water. There are some rare cases of someone over-hydrating, known as hyponatremia. However, it is very rare and usually only seen in endurance athletes who are over-drinking while doing very intense exercise or in older adults with certain health conditions.

      For the average person, this is normally not a concern.

      Is drinking a gallon of water bad for you?

      Water poisoning or water intoxication is a condition where someone drinks too much water in a short period of time and their cells become imbalanced due to a loss of sodium. It is a serious condition but extremely rare.

      General guidelines suggest that you shouldn't drink more than 27-33 ounces of water per hour. This means drinking a gallon of water in an hour wouldn’t be recommended.

      Any type of water challenge could potentially be dangerous and it is always best to listen to your body.

      How much water do you really need?

      At the most basic level, you should be drinking enough water every day that you do not show any symptoms of dehydration and that your body is functioning well. There is no exact number for everyone since it varies based on your body, activity level, diet, climate, and more.

      Generally speaking, doctors recommend that you get at least 6 cups of water daily at a minimum but most people should be drinking more than that. One easy indicator is urine. Your urine should be fairly frequent and like yellow or clear in color. Darker or smelly urine is an indicator of dehydration and usually indicated you should be drinking more water.

      Does water affect your energy levels?

      Water can have a huge impact on energy levels. People who are dehydrated report feeling more tired, sluggish, and lethargic. Staying hydrated helps keep your cells functioning properly and helps energy levels stay high. In fact, it is one of the most recommended tips for boosting energy levels quickly.

      Does water intake affect brain function?

      Water and proper hydration have been shown to greatly benefit brain function. Specifically, staying hydrated can boost mood and mood stability, improve concentration, improve cognition, aid memory, prevent headaches, and even reduce stress.

      How can I tell if you are dehydrated?

      Here are some of the most common symptoms of dehydration:

      • Feeling thirsty
      • Dry mouth
      • Headache
      • Dizziness
      • Change in mood
      • Feeling tired or weak
      • Trouble concentrating or focusing
      • Increase in body temperature
      • Rapid breathing and/or heartbeat
      • Flushed or red skin
      • Dry mouth, eyes, or lips
      • Dark yellow or smelly urine (note, this isn’t solely caused by dehydration and is common after taking multivitamins or eating certain foods as well. This evens out throughout the day, so most of your urine should mostly be light or clear.)

      Should I drink 8 glasses of water daily? What about the “8 by 8” rule?

      To help people have a tangible amount of water to focus on, there was a push to recommend that the average person drink 8 glasses of water by 8 PM daily. This would mean that you drank at least 64 ounces of water daily.

      There is no solid evidence suggesting that this is, in fact, the right amount, but it is probably a good recommendation for a minimum amount. Depending on your lifestyle, body type, diet, age, and more - this will vary.

      What factors affect how much water you need daily?

      The amount of water someone needs daily depends on a number of different factors. Here are the most common factors that affect water needs.

      • Activity Level and exercise: People who exercise or do rigorous activity will need to consume more water daily. However, the exact amount varies depending on the activity, muscle mass, and climate.
      • Climate and temperature: If you live in a hot and humid climate, or it’s a hot day, you will need more water. As we sweat and perspire, we need to replace the water we are losing.
      • Diet: Diets that are higher in sodium may require more water to flush out that sodium.
      • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and nursing moms will need more water than the average person.

      How do you know if you are well hydrated?

      The easiest way to know that you are well hydrated is to pay attention to your urine. Generally speaking, it should be light yellow or clear without too much of a smell. Thirst is another indicator, but many people confuse this with hunger.

      What about caffeine? How does it affect water intake and hydration?

      There used to be a common belief that caffeine counted against hydration since it is a diuretic. However, recent studies have shown it may not affect hydration as much as was previously thought. With that said, water is always the best option when trying to stay hydrated.

      How much water do you need during exercise?

      It is recommended that you drink water before, during, and after exercise. For most exercise, plain water will do. Some people recommend drinking an electrolyte drink after doing any vigorous exercise for an hour or more to replace lost electrolytes.

      One other note, drinking too much water too fast during exercise can cause cramps and stomach pain. It is best to sip slowly while working out in most cases.

      What other questions do you have about how much water to drink?

59 Comments
On How to Calculate How Much Water You Should Drink A Day
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JimmieGail Davis
September 23, 2023 - 20:33
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5
good advice,Thanks
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Alvin Williams
September 13, 2023 - 16:19
I am on dyalisis I have a limit of 32 ounces from midnight to midnight
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Russ S.
August 18, 2023 - 11:23
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5
I am a male, who weighs 180 lbs and was prediabetic. I exercise 4 to 5 times a week riding my bicycle for about 50 - 75 minutes. Since I started drinking 1 gal. or 128 oz. of water a day, watch my diet by minimizing carbs and food quantity (water helps with quantity), I have lost approximately 25 lbs and I am no longer prediabetic. I thought that drinking that much water would be very difficult, but I have found that it is easy. What works for me is having a 16 oz cup handy to drink from and drinking it quickly (not sipping) eight times a day. Your excellent article has reenforced what I have been doing. Thank you!
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Drew Castillo
May 31, 2023 - 13:24
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I drink too much water according to your article and calculator. That is my problem. I always have a cup for me to drink from.. It is contributing to my weight gain..
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Katy
May 12, 2023 - 03:47
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5
Really good info. Spent most of my.life drinking much too little.
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Tena Jackson
April 26, 2023 - 09:34
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3
According to the article, I need to drink more than NINE LITERS of water daily That is insane. I'll spend more time in the bathroom than in my living room.
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Frank
April 14, 2023 - 12:09
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5
Excellent article on water consumption. One of the best I've ever read.
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How much water ...
March 1, 2023 - 14:39
How much water does it take to hydrate at 225 pound man at 9800 feet above sea level for 24 hours minimal hydration after prostate surgery reduction of catheterization
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Crystal Roden
February 28, 2023 - 11:54
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5
Thank you for this article
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VA
January 31, 2023 - 15:26
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Awesome and very complete article
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Betty suber
January 20, 2023 - 16:52
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5
I am 90 years old and I know I don't drink enough water. When I do drink the recommended amount I have to rush to the toilet so often. And sometimes I don't make it. But I do feel better when I get at least 4 cups a day. I do have high blood pressure and have been taking meds for years
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Mark Phinisee
January 17, 2023 - 20:17
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4
Good stuff
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Kimberly
January 5, 2023 - 11:19
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Curious… if you have cystic kidneys and have had half of one removed will more water impact poorly on kidneys? Also, if I am taking meds in which I lose water, as well as losing more water causes loss of vitamins and minerals… how do you balance? Should I drink half water and half with electrolytes ?
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Liz
December 20, 2022 - 09:50
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5
I'm not drinking enough, thanks for the useful.info
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Kat
December 3, 2022 - 00:48
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This was over-the-top useful!! Thanks so much
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Andi Galusha
November 1, 2022 - 11:02
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This is the best hydration article I've read in a long time. Saving for my clients! Thank you!
Andi, RN, HWNC-BC
Holistic Nurse Coach
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Kaya
July 29, 2022 - 03:09
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Very helpful, thanks
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Timt
July 7, 2022 - 11:15
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I weigh 250, diabetic, take water pills for heart fare and oral cancer pills every day. Half hour of very moderate excercise each day. How much water should I drink evryday.
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Donna
June 25, 2022 - 08:44
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I weight 105 how much water should i have each day.
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Daniel
April 22, 2022 - 14:54
As a 384lb man I should be consuming about 256 ounces of water daily?! This can't be correct. Isn't that too much?? Went to the doctor 2 weeks ago who said I should be consuming 64-72 ounces of water per day.
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Biltmore
January 4, 2023 - 04:03
Actually, that is right. It seems like a lot but your high weight requires more water intake. You're not alone, I too have to consume similar amounts and it's likely I am in a similar situation like you because I did not choose healthy options until now.... That's why we are 300+ pounds.
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Ryan Lucas
July 21, 2023 - 04:00
I weigh 395 lbs, but suffer from hyperaldosteronism, and already intake just over 2 gallons a day, I am confused, as it says 366 oz, that is way more than I can possibly handle, even with 2 diaretics and a hand full of heart medicine, it is still way too much. As it is I have hypokalemia, that much water will send me into hydro toxicity, extremely quickly.
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Noelle
November 8, 2022 - 16:09
Same here i weigh 136kg and have a very active job I was recommended 9 litres of water, thats crazy

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Michael
June 24, 2022 - 15:43
What did you end up settling on? How many litres per day. I am 350 lbs.
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steve ray
April 19, 2022 - 15:20
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Amazing, learnt so much thank you, need more water in my life its seems. Smiling face
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Ashley
April 15, 2022 - 19:34
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I'm very heavy (but working on losing weight) and the calculator is saying I should be drinking around 223 oz of water a day. Is that actually healthy? I know if I consume two half gallons I'm running to the bathroom regularly, I can't imagine drinking 3 1/2 of those in a day, I'd live in the bathroom!
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Hannah
March 25, 2023 - 21:27
lmao this is exactly what I was thinking there has to be a maximum.
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Daniel Horgan
April 9, 2022 - 19:57
I found your info good but with one exception. There is no consideration for older people or a differentiation between the sexes. I am 82 and cannot drink water after 6-7pm or else!
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Edna Dunford
March 11, 2022 - 20:43
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I'm 58 years old. 5'7 and weight 150. I drink a minimum of 128 oz a day. Is that considered too much?
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Savannah
March 25, 2022 - 10:48
the average for your weight alone would be 100 ounces. However, if you are active for about an hour or so everyday, that would equal your 128 ounces. I did the math for you lol let me know if you want to see that so you can calculate your own:)
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Becky
February 27, 2022 - 06:26
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Thanks; very helpful!
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Danny
February 8, 2022 - 19:08
I drink 4 liters of soda each day. Needless to say, I'm overweight. I tried switching solely to water. I drank 20 Oz and was not thirsty. My urine was normal. If I continue to only drink water, will I crave more?
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Beth
February 19, 2022 - 17:02
I don't know about crave but it will be more tolerable to drink water versus soda.
My vice was sweet tea. Unsweetened was just NOT happening (I'm from the south) so I switched to skim milk & water but allow myself 8oz of slightly less sweet tea with my dinner at night.
Making changes is great but you can't give up everything.
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Jack knotts
January 15, 2022 - 05:21
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I learned a lot from this article thank you
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Amy
April 6, 2021 - 20:01
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Thank you for making this calculator! It has been very helpful. Ever since my gallbladder surgery a couple weeks ago I’ve been drinking a lot of water! And Pedialyte too. I seem to can’t stay hydrated long enough. Wake up with no voice and my lips are constantly dry and the headaches are horrible. I see the surgeon again to talk about this dehydration issue and figure out what’s going on. At least I’m not insane I literally am drinking 117 oz of water a day and I thought that was a bad thing but according to your calculations it is a good thing. Before the surgery I could hardly get down to 6 oz of water a day so at least I’m getting healthier with my water intake. Thanks again!
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Parker LVN
November 13, 2020 - 13:41
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Good info and references. I am a Water Warrior now that I know the hazards of any degree of dehydration. I am a desert dweller and know how climate changes the retention and loss, even when not visibly perspiring! I am sending this article to my H2O buddies as we support better hydration amongst us:)
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Chris
March 12, 2020 - 02:13
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How many glasses of water do unwed to consume in a day
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j kevin O'Hanlon
December 6, 2019 - 11:29
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Ok!
12 - 8 oz glasses (your calculation)
9 - 8 oz glasses (another calculation)
8 - 8 oz glasses (doctors recommend)
I weigh 143 lbs, age 60, activity level - low to moderate
143 x 2/3 divided by 8 = 12 glasses of water per day

If I can drink 6 - 8 oz glasses of water per day, that's a start. Plus food intake.

And when and if I can do that regularly, maybe I'll try for 8 glasses.
Doubtful though!
I like to go out of the house without having to run to a bathroom!
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John
May 23, 2019 - 16:28
To get all the water I need, I like to use what I term as the "Wiz and Water" method.

Drink a full glass of water (12-16 oz) when you wake up in the morning. Then after you pee (wiz), drink another glass of water. Repeat throughout the day. It's a no brainer way to get enough water and you won't drink too much or too little.
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Morgan
December 31, 2022 - 22:41
This sounds like a good concept. I’m going to try this and see how it works for me. Thanks
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Doris
February 23, 2019 - 15:15
This is confusing here you go by weight period . A doctor once told you Mother even though she drank the amount for her age it was to much for for her activity or inactivity . Which made sense as a activity working woman would use that water
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Jenny Exner
January 28, 2019 - 13:57
That is nowhere near enough water for a person who works in a hot and dry environment. Nevermind taking into consideration: height (along with weight), sodium intake, smoker/non-smoker, diet (foods high/low in water), alcohol consumption, activity levels, medications and/or vitamins and supplements that might require more or less water intake. There's SO much to consider - this calculator is a great suggestion, but nowhere near accurate for every gender and size of human.
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Dan
June 26, 2024 - 10:01
You are right; however, its a starting point, the article does say we need to adjust it. The author caveats the calculation is based on weight and activity level alone. The author goes on to say, in response to how much we should intake, with there's no exact amount basically due to too many variables, like you you allude to.. They said: "At the most basic level, you should be drinking enough water every day that you do not show any symptoms of dehydration and that your body is functioning well. There is no exact number for everyone since it varies based on your body, activity level, diet, climate, and more."
So you are right, but intent is use as initial starting amount, that you will adjust based on urine, dehydration symptims and how you feel and function.
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Courtney
December 27, 2018 - 18:11
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4
Love the site
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Sheerah
September 15, 2018 - 20:30
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I am a vegetarian soo I hope you have recipes that cater for people like me and I have a million food allergies. My goal is too reach my acquired BMI.
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Alex
July 22, 2018 - 02:46
You are dizzy because you are way under your water need - yes you will loose salt through sweat.. but you also loose water through sweat - the more you sweat the more you need water. 40oz for 160lbs is WAY to little.
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J
July 13, 2018 - 19:05
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I drink 40oz of water a day (its marked on my bottle) and I weigh 160lbs. I work in a hot and dry environment. And 40oz of water is TOO MUCH WATER. I lose so much salt and vitamins I get dizzy and black out. And I wake up in the night with a full bladder. You should just about drink a cup of water with each meal. its not rocket science. If you're working extra hard drink electrolyte drinks on top of that.
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Annie
July 2, 2018 - 10:57
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If you're drinking enough water for your body AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT, you're drinking enough water. Increasing intake beyond what the kidneys can process (approximately 3.5L/hour) is harmful and potentially deadly. The way to calculate the amount of water to drink is to find a healthy weight for your height & multiply it by .5. Of course, your intake might go up with added exercise or in hot weather but intakes above twice that can deplete vital nutrients and more than that can cause hyponatremia, which is extremely dangerous.
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David Jones
May 31, 2018 - 12:57
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I am 300 pounds so does that mean I should drink 150 ounces of water a day and if so what time should I get up and how much should I drink an hour.
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Joshua Robinson
December 16, 2023 - 20:17
More like 250 ounces a day. Up to 30 ounces an hour.
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Janet
May 25, 2018 - 10:01
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Great info , include info on diet websites and diabetics website. Most people don't know the amount of,water the actually need which can change there health along with eating more vegetables and way less carbs. Thanks...
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Omatiklan
May 7, 2018 - 12:19
First, I think your chart is a great starting point for healthy hydration. But I'm wondering, what's your source for this chart and calculation? Most clinicians, researchers and even U.S. agencies (i.e., FDA, CDC, USDA, OSHA, etc) all distance themselves from a quantity-specific recommendation since hydration needs are wildly variable from person to person and from one environment to another.

As I mentioned, your chart is a good starting point but people should really take into consideration their health, overall fitness, daily activity levels, and environment (for example, exposure to high temperatures) in assessing their individual hydration needs. Relying on a static formula with one or two variables (like weight or age) could leave many people short of healthy hydration.
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Ilsy Bu
June 15, 2016 - 11:54
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so what happens if you drink double the amount of water daily? Will this have an effect on the amount you can lose or no? great article. Thank you!
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EdeLyn Tabigue
June 13, 2016 - 22:57
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"Its help me a lot"thank you Godbless!
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Ashley Walton
February 27, 2016 - 03:43
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Very helpful! I will share a link in my health and fitness blog!
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Willamena King
February 26, 2016 - 23:04
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It works well.
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mike cavazos
January 13, 2016 - 14:40
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very informative article!
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Malisha Goggans
October 9, 2015 - 08:35
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Great info...
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whoknows757@gma...
January 13, 2016 - 12:32
lmao! I was thinking the SAME THING Jessica!!