Calories Burned Shoveling Snow for 15 Minutes
How many calories does 15 minutes of snow shoveling burn? Calorie chart by body weight and snow type, with quick-answer estimates for light, moderate, and heavy snow.
Fifteen minutes of snow shoveling burns approximately 88–175 calories for most adults, depending on body weight and snow conditions. A 70 kg (154 lb) person burns around 105 calories shoveling moderate snow in 15 minutes — and up to 123 calories in heavy wet snow.
Use the Snow Shoveling Calorie Calculator to get a personalised estimate based on your exact weight and snow type.
Calories Burned: 15 Minutes of Snow Shoveling
Light Snow (MET 5.0 — powder, dusting)
| Body Weight | Calories Burned |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lbs) | 69 kcal |
| 65 kg (143 lbs) | 81 kcal |
| 70 kg (154 lbs) | 88 kcal |
| 80 kg (176 lbs) | 100 kcal |
| 90 kg (198 lbs) | 113 kcal |
| 100 kg (220 lbs) | 125 kcal |
Moderate Snow (MET 6.0 — general shoveling)
| Body Weight | Calories Burned |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lbs) | 83 kcal |
| 65 kg (143 lbs) | 98 kcal |
| 70 kg (154 lbs) | 105 kcal |
| 80 kg (176 lbs) | 120 kcal |
| 90 kg (198 lbs) | 135 kcal |
| 100 kg (220 lbs) | 150 kcal |
Heavy / Wet Snow (MET 7.0 — packed or late-season)
| Body Weight | Calories Burned |
|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lbs) | 96 kcal |
| 65 kg (143 lbs) | 114 kcal |
| 70 kg (154 lbs) | 123 kcal |
| 80 kg (176 lbs) | 140 kcal |
| 90 kg (198 lbs) | 158 kcal |
| 100 kg (220 lbs) | 175 kcal |
How These Numbers Are Calculated
All estimates use the MET formula: Calories = MET × weight (kg) × duration (hours)
For 15 minutes: duration = 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25 hours
Example: 70 kg person, moderate snow → 6.0 × 70 × 0.25 = 105 calories
See the full snow shoveling calorie formula for more detail.
Is 15 Minutes of Shoveling Worth It?
Absolutely. Even a short 15-minute shoveling session:
- Burns roughly the same calories as 15 minutes of brisk walking
- Qualifies as moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MET 5–7)
- Engages the arms, shoulders, core, and legs simultaneously
For a quick driveway or path clearance, 15 minutes of shoveling is a legitimate contribution to your daily movement goals.
Compare to Other Durations
- 30 minutes of snow shoveling — roughly double the calorie burn
- 1 hour of snow shoveling — for large areas or heavy storms