1 Hour Lawn Mowing Calories: How Much Do You Burn?
How many calories does 1 hour of lawn mowing burn? A 70 kg person burns 245–385 calories in 60 minutes depending on mower type. Full tables by weight and comparison with walking and running.
Mowing the lawn for 1 hour burns 245–385 calories for a 70 kg (154 lb) person. The range depends entirely on mower type: a riding mower sits at the lower end (245 cal), a walk-behind power mower in the middle (315 cal), and a push reel mower or hilly terrain at the higher end (385 cal).
Use the Lawn Mowing Calorie Calculator for a result tailored to your exact weight and mower type.
1 Hour Lawn Mowing Calories by Mower Type
Quick reference for a 70 kg (154 lb) person:
| Mower Type | MET | Calories (60 min, 70 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Riding Mower | 3.5 | 245 cal |
| Walk-Behind Power Mower | 4.5 | 315 cal |
| Push Reel / Hilly Terrain | 5.5 | 385 cal |
Full Table: Calories Burned Mowing for 1 Hour by Body Weight
Riding Mower (MET 3.5)
| Body Weight | Calories per Hour |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lb) | 193 cal |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 210 cal |
| 65 kg (143 lb) | 228 cal |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 245 cal |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | 263 cal |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 280 cal |
| 85 kg (187 lb) | 298 cal |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 315 cal |
| 95 kg (209 lb) | 333 cal |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 350 cal |
Walk-Behind Power Mower (MET 4.5)
| Body Weight | Calories per Hour |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lb) | 248 cal |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 270 cal |
| 65 kg (143 lb) | 293 cal |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 315 cal |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | 338 cal |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 360 cal |
| 85 kg (187 lb) | 383 cal |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 405 cal |
| 95 kg (209 lb) | 428 cal |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 450 cal |
Push Reel Mower / Hilly Terrain (MET 5.5)
| Body Weight | Calories per Hour |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lb) | 303 cal |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 330 cal |
| 65 kg (143 lb) | 358 cal |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 385 cal |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | 413 cal |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 440 cal |
| 85 kg (187 lb) | 468 cal |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 495 cal |
| 95 kg (209 lb) | 523 cal |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 550 cal |
How the Calculation Works
These numbers come from the MET-based calorie formula:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hours)
For 1 hour of walk-behind power mowing (MET 4.5) at 70 kg:
4.5 × 70 × 1.0 = 315 kcal
MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) values for lawn mowing are sourced from the Ainsworth Compendium of Physical Activities — the authoritative reference for physical activity energy expenditure used by exercise scientists worldwide.
1 Hour of Mowing vs 1 Hour of Walking
One of the most common questions is how mowing compares to walking. For a 70 kg person:
| Activity | MET | Calories per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Slow walk (3 km/h) | 2.8 | 196 cal |
| Riding Mower | 3.5 | 245 cal |
| Brisk walk (5 km/h) | 3.5 | 245 cal |
| Walk-Behind Power Mower | 4.5 | 315 cal |
| Fast walk (6.5 km/h) | 5.0 | 350 cal |
| Push Reel / Hilly Terrain | 5.5 | 385 cal |
| Jogging (7 km/h) | 7.0 | 490 cal |
| Running (10 km/h) | 10.0 | 700 cal |
Key finding: An hour of walk-behind power mowing burns approximately the same calories as a moderately brisk walk. Push reel mowing on hilly terrain burns as much as a fast walk or slow jog. Only running at a meaningful pace clearly outpaces push mowing.
This makes mowing the lawn one of the most calorie-efficient household chores — particularly when you combine it with the fact that it needs to be done anyway.
Mowing for 1 Hour: Weekly and Monthly Impact
Consistent mowing adds up. A 70 kg person pushing a walk-behind power mower:
| Frequency | Weekly Calories | Monthly Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session/week (60 min) | 315 cal | ~1,260 cal |
| 2 sessions/week (60 min) | 630 cal | ~2,520 cal |
| 3 sessions/week (60 min) | 945 cal | ~3,780 cal |
At 3,500 calories per pound of body fat, a daily mowing habit (if you had enough lawn) could burn approximately 1 lb of fat every 11 days. More realistically, consistent weekly mowing contributes several hundred calories per week to your overall energy expenditure — a meaningful supplement to deliberate exercise.
Tips to Burn More Calories While Mowing
If burning more calories while mowing is a priority, here are practical strategies:
1. Use a push reel or walk-behind mower instead of riding. The difference is significant — up to 57% more calories for the same yard in the same time.
2. Tackle slopes on foot. Even if you have a riding mower, consider pushing on steeper sections where it is safe to do so.
3. Increase your pace. Walking faster while pushing raises your heart rate and calorie burn without changing your equipment.
4. Mow in perpendicular stripes. More direction changes and maneuvering increases total movement and calorie output compared to long, straight passes.
5. Skip the bag. If you normally bag clippings, instead discharge them and make an extra pass — adding time and distance to the session.
6. Mow in the midday warmth. Exercising in moderate heat slightly increases calorie burn compared to cool conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does 1 hour of lawn mowing burn?
For a 70 kg (154 lb) person, 1 hour of lawn mowing burns approximately 245 calories with a riding mower, 315 calories with a walk-behind power mower, and 385 calories with a push reel mower or on hilly terrain. Heavier people burn more; lighter people burn less.
Is mowing the lawn for an hour good exercise?
Yes — especially with a walk-behind or push reel mower. One hour of push mowing (MET 4.5–5.5) qualifies as moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and counts toward the 150 minutes per week of moderate activity recommended by health guidelines.
Does mowing the lawn burn as many calories as walking?
Walk-behind power mowing (MET 4.5) is equivalent to a moderately brisk walk. Push reel mowing on hilly terrain (MET 5.5) burns more calories than a standard brisk walk and approaches a fast walk in terms of calorie output.
Related Tools and Guides
- Lawn Mowing Calorie Calculator — Calculate your personalized result
- 30 Minutes Lawn Mowing Calories — Calories for a half-hour session
- Lawn Mowing Calorie Formula — How the formula works in detail
- Push Mower vs Riding Mower Calories — Full comparison of all mower types
- Is Mowing the Lawn Good Exercise? — Health benefits breakdown