Holstein bull calves (n = 48, 2–3 d of age) were fed milk replacer (MR) at 0.66 kg/d for 46 d and 0.33 kg/d for 3 d (MRM) or 0.85 kg/d for 5 d, 1.07 kg/d for 37 d, and 0.53 kg/d for 7 d (MRH). Calf starters (CS), offered from d 1, were pellet (LSP; 10% starch) or pellet plus whole corn and oats (HST; 40% starch). Calves were housed in individual pens from 0 to 8 wk. From 9 to 16 wk, calves were grouped within treatment (n = 3/pen) and fed 95% of the same CS plus 5% chopped grass hay. During the last 5 d of wk 5, chromic oxide was added to MR at each feeding of 5 calves per treatment to estimate digestion. Fecal grab samples were taken daily from the same calves for 5 d during wk 8. During wk 11, 13, and 16, fecal samples were collected daily from the floor of all group pens for 5 d. Post-weaned fecal samples were analyzed for acid-insoluble ash. Apparent digestibility of CP, fat, NDF, ADF and starch were used to estimate ration ME (MEe) using equations from 2001 Dairy NRC, corrected for apparent digestibility. MEe of CS during wk 5 were corrected for MR intake using lactose, CP and fat digestibilities of 95, 93 and 93%, respectively. MEe during wk 11, 13, and 16 included 95% CS and 5% hay. Ration ME was also predicted using 2001 NRC calculations (MEn). Data were analyzed as a repeated measures mixed model ANOVA with calf (wk 1–8) and pen (wk 9–16 as experimental unit. Including all wk, MEe were higher in HST than LSP (P < 0.02) and when MRM was fed (P < 0.06). Excluding wk 5, there was no effect (P > 0.10) of CS form or MR feeding on MEe. MEe in LSP and HST during wk 5 were lower than MEn and averaged 1.19 and 1.79 Mcal of ME/kg DM, respectively, compared with MEn of 3.22 and 3.52 Mcal ME/kg DM. Errors in calculating MEe during wk 5 were significant and some MEe were less than zero. Estimated MEe during wk 8, 11, 13, and 16 in LSP were 3.14, 2.59, 2.63, and 2.46 Mcal ME/kg DM. Estimated MEe in HST were 3.22, 2.68, 2.77, and 2.67 Mcal ME/kg DM. Estimates of ME in CS were generally lower than NRC, especially pre-weaning, and were related to digestibility. Prediction of ME in CS may be improved with accurate prediction of digestibility.