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Body Fat Percentage Calculator

This Body Fat Percentage Calculator uses the US Navy method to estimate your body fat from simple tape measurements. All you need is a tape measure and your height, neck, waist, and hip circumference to get an accurate estimate without expensive equipment.

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1

Enter your details

Gender
cm
kg
cm

Measure at the narrowest point

cm

Measure at the navel

Your Body Fat Results

Example

Example figures, not your own. Worked for a man of 175 cm and 80 kg with a 38 cm neck and 85 cm waist. Enter your own details and press Calculate.

Body Fat

23.5%

Average

Fat Mass

18.8kg

Lean Mass

61.2kg

How It Works

The US Navy method uses a logarithmic formula based on circumference measurements. For men, the formula uses neck and waist measurements relative to height. For women, it also includes hip circumference. The formula correlates strongly with hydrostatic weighing, the gold standard for body fat measurement.

How to use it

  1. 1Select your gender
  2. 2Enter your height in centimetres
  3. 3Enter your neck circumference in centimetres (measured at the narrowest point)
  4. 4Enter your waist circumference in centimetres (at the navel for men, narrowest point for women)
  5. 5If female, enter your hip circumference at the widest point
  6. 6Click "Calculate" to see your body fat percentage and category

Quick Reference

CategoryMenWomen
Essential fat2-5%10-13%
Athletic6-13%14-20%
Fitness14-17%21-24%
Average18-24%25-31%
Above average25%+32%+

Categories from the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Healthy ranges vary by age.

US Navy Body Fat Formula

Men: 86.010 x log10(waist - neck) - 70.041 x log10(height) + 36.76 Women: 163.205 x log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684 x log10(height) - 78.387
waist
= waist circumference in cm
neck
= neck circumference in cm
hip
= hip circumference in cm (women only)
height
= height in cm

All measurements are in centimetres. The US Navy method was developed in 1984 by Hodgdon and Beckett and correlates well with hydrostatic weighing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the US Navy body fat method?
The US Navy method is accurate to within 1-3% of hydrostatic weighing for most people. It tends to be more accurate for individuals in the normal weight range and may underestimate body fat in very lean or very overweight individuals.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
For men, 10-20% is considered healthy and fit, while 21-24% is acceptable. For women, 18-28% is healthy and fit, while 29-31% is acceptable. Essential fat is 2-5% for men and 10-13% for women.
Where exactly do I measure my waist for this calculator?
For men, measure at the navel (belly button) level. For women, measure at the narrowest point of your waist, typically just above the navel. Stand relaxed, do not suck in your stomach, and keep the tape snug but not tight.
Is body fat percentage more useful than BMI?
Body fat percentage is generally more informative than BMI because it measures actual fat, not just weight relative to height. A muscular person may have a high BMI but low body fat. However, both measures have value when used together.

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