Body Fat Calculator

Estimate your body fat percentage using body measurements with the US Navy method.

ft
in

Body Fat Percentage

17.4%

Obese

Body Fat Categories (male)

Essential Fat2-5%
Athlete6-13%
Fitness14-17%
Average18-24%
Obese25+%

How to Measure for Body Fat Calculation

This calculator uses the US Navy circumference method. Measure in the morning before eating with a flexible (non-elastic) tape measure pulled snug but not compressing the skin:

  • Waist: measure at the navel (belly button), standing relaxed without sucking in. Do not flex or hold your breath.
  • Neck: measure just below the larynx (Adam's apple), tilting the tape slightly downward toward the front.
  • Hip (women only): measure at the widest point of the hips and buttocks, usually at the level of the hip bone.
  • Height: stand without shoes against a wall. Use inches or centimeters.

Take each measurement 3 times and average them for best accuracy. Slight measurement differences of 0.5 inches can shift results by 1-2%.

US Navy Body Fat Formula and Categories

Men: BF% = 495 / (1.0324 - 0.19077×log(waist-neck)
+ 0.15456×log(height)) - 450

Women: BF% = 495 / (1.29579 - 0.35004×log(waist+hip-neck)
+ 0.22100×log(height)) - 450

All measurements in centimeters.

Body fat percentage categories by sex:

CategoryMenWomen
Essential fat2-5%10-13%
Athletes6-13%14-20%
Fitness14-17%21-24%
Average / Acceptable18-24%25-31%
Obese25%+32%+

Frequently Asked Questions

Body fat percentage is the proportion of your total body weight that is fat mass. Unlike BMI (which only uses height and weight), body fat percentage distinguishes between muscle and fat. Two people with identical BMI can have very different body compositions: a muscular athlete and an obese individual might have the same BMI but drastically different body fat percentages. High body fat, especially visceral fat around the organs, is associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

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