Hydration Calculator: How Much Water Should I Drink?

The first step in prioritizing hydration is to go beyond just “knowing” it’s important and understand more about why. While you’re probably aware that water is necessary for overall good health, you may not realize just how much your body depends on water to survive.

Water makes up more than half of your body weight and is used in all your cells, organs, and tissues to maintain a variety of bodily functions, including: regulating temperature, removing waste, aiding in digestion, protecting your tissues, spinal cord, joints and preventing dehydration.

How Much Water Do You Need?

You might be surprised that it may not be the eight 8-ounce glasses of water that’s typically advised. While 64 ounces daily is a good amount to strive for, different people need different amounts of water to stay hydrated - some may require less and some may require more.

To discover your ideal level of hydration, take the quiz below. After answering a few quick questions, you’ll learn how much water you should be consuming daily to feel great and help your body perform at its best.

The Dangers of Dehydration

Your body loses water whenever you sweat, go to the bathroom and even when you breathe. Water is lost more quickly during intense exercise, when it’s really hot outside and when you have a fever. When you don’t replace the water your body loses, you’re at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Depending on how much fluid is missing from your body, you can have mild, moderate or even severe dehydration. Dehydration can cause a variety of issues, such as:

  • Wrinkled skin and other dermatological problems
  • Decrease in energy that may result in weight gain
  • Increased susceptibility to bladder and kidney infections
  • Digestive problems
  • Extreme fatigue and mental “fog”

If you feel you suffer from severe dehydration, you should seek medical help immediately.