Our method, in the open
Volumeal rests on one promise: never lie to you about precision. Here's exactly how we measure, where the numbers come from, and what we can't do.
A calorie estimate is always a range. Volumeal shows it to you — “240–390 kcal” — instead of dressing it up as a single number. Less flattering, but honest, and that's what keeps you from quitting.
How we estimate a meal
You photograph your plate. The food is recognized, its portion estimated from the image, then converted into calories and macros. The result shows as a confidence range (e.g. ±15%), with a reliability level.
You stay in control: correcting the portion in one tap tightens the range instantly. You know your plate better than any model.
Where the nutrition values come from
Per-food calories and macros rely on recognized reference nutrition tables (such as ANSES Ciqual in France, USDA FoodData Central in the US). These are averages: no two apples or two store pizzas are identical.
For packaged products, the barcode scan pulls the manufacturer's real values — that's where the number is most reliable.
What we can't do (and own up to)
Measure to the gram. No one can, from a photo. Portion, density, and invisible oil or sauces introduce a real margin, often beyond ±20%.
Replace a scale for very calorie-dense foods (oil, butter, cheese, nuts), where 10 g changes everything. Our advice: weigh those when precision matters.
We'd rather write these limits down than sell fake accuracy.
Why a range instead of a number
To lose or gain weight, you don't need the exact number: you need an honest estimate tracked over time, and a trend. A falsely precise number makes you optimize noise, then feel guilty when reality doesn't follow. The range tells the truth.
That's the subject of our deep dive: calorie apps lie to you.
Your data
Your photos are used for the estimate, are not sold, and your tracking stays yours. Only strictly necessary information is transmitted. Details are in our privacy policy.
Who's behind Volumeal
Volumeal is built by a small independent team, in France, on iOS and Android. No investors to please with flattering numbers: just a tracking tool that owns its uncertainty. A question? [email protected].
Go further
Frequently asked questions
Is Volumeal accurate?
As accurate as a photo estimate allows — meaning with a real margin. The difference: Volumeal shows it as a range instead of hiding it behind a single number.
Where do the calorie numbers come from?
From recognized reference nutrition tables (such as ANSES Ciqual / USDA) for foods, and manufacturer values via barcode for packaged products.
Do I need a scale with Volumeal?
Not for daily use. But for very calorie-dense foods (oil, butter, cheese), weighing when precision matters clearly reduces the error.
Are my photos sold?
No. They're used for the estimate and not sold. See the privacy policy.