Using step count to estimate activity multiplier on TDEE calculations

[Ahealthyman]

Howdy, 

I am struggling to figure out my maintenance calories when using TDEE calculators therefore I either over/under eat. 

I average 11-15K steps every day as per my charge 3, so would consider myself active, however wondering how this compares to others ? Most online calculators use a scale for activity levels : 

Sedentary 

Light exercise 

Moderate 

Heavy Exercise 

Athlete 

With 11,000-15,000 steps on average, I have been using the moderate band above. But perhaps I need to use heavy/athlete bands ? Be interested to hear how other people's estimates compare. 

[JohnnyRow]

I don't see why you would be using TDEE calculators when your Fitbit already measures your daily calorie burn.

[Ahealthyman]

Hello there, thanks for your response. 

I don't see my Fitbit as being accurate enough for absolute readings. Often notice my calories burnt fluctuates wildly. As i'm trying to stay in a small 100-200cals surplus, I would have to eat almost 4,000cals a day if I went by the calories burnt on my Fitbit. I did try this previously and noticed I was massively overeating... 

I therefore use it as a tool to benchmark my energy expenditure on a day-to-day basis. 

Have you had any luck then just using the calroies burnt function on your Fitbit and adding/subtracting total calories in for that figure?