What is lean body mass?

Lean body mass (LBM) is your total body weight minus your fat mass. It includes muscle, bone, organs, blood, and water. LBM is not the same as muscle mass, which is only one component of lean mass.

Why is lean body mass important for weight loss?

During weight loss, you want to preserve lean mass and lose fat. Knowing your LBM helps set protein targets (typically 1.6-2.2g per kg of LBM) and ensures your calorie deficit is not so large that you lose muscle.

How much lean body mass should I have?

Lean body mass varies widely. For men, LBM is typically 75-85% of total weight. For women, it is typically 68-78%. Athletes and highly trained individuals will have a higher proportion of lean mass.

Lean Body Mass Calculator

Your lean body mass (LBM) is everything in your body except fat - including muscle, bone, organs, and water. Knowing your LBM helps you set realistic protein targets, track muscle gain during body recomposition, and understand your body composition beyond the scale.

Enter Your Details

Gender

Weight

Height

Body fat percentage (optional)

Leave blank to use the Boer formula only

How It Works

This calculator offers two methods. The Boer formula estimates LBM from height and weight alone: Men = 0.407 x weight + 0.267 x height - 19.2; Women = 0.252 x weight + 0.473 x height - 48.3. Alternatively, if you know your body fat percentage, LBM = weight x (1 - body fat / 100).

Quick Reference

Body Weight (kg)	Typical Male LBM (kg)	Typical Female LBM (kg)
55	42-47	37-43
60	46-51	41-47
65	50-55	44-51
70	53-60	48-55
75	57-64	51-59
80	60-68	54-62
85	64-72	58-66
90	68-77	61-70
95	71-81	65-74
100	75-85	68-78

Ranges assume body fat of 10-22% for men and 18-32% for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lean body mass?: Lean body mass (LBM) is your total body weight minus your fat mass. It includes muscle, bone, organs, blood, and water. LBM is not the same as muscle mass, which is only one component of lean mass.
Why is lean body mass important for weight loss?: During weight loss, you want to preserve lean mass and lose fat. Knowing your LBM helps set protein targets (typically 1.6-2.2g per kg of LBM) and ensures your calorie deficit is not so large that you lose muscle.
How much lean body mass should I have?: Lean body mass varies widely. For men, LBM is typically 75-85% of total weight. For women, it is typically 68-78%. Athletes and highly trained individuals will have a higher proportion of lean mass.

Boer Formula (1984)

Men: LBM = 0.407 x W + 0.267 x H - 19.2 Women: LBM = 0.252 x W + 0.473 x H - 48.3 Body Fat Method: LBM = W x (1 - BF/100)

W: = body weight in kilograms
H: = height in centimetres
BF: = body fat percentage (optional)

The Boer formula is considered one of the most accurate LBM estimation formulas. If you know your body fat percentage, the body fat method is more precise.

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Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Individual results may vary based on factors not captured by these formulas. Consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or exercise routine, especially if you have any existing health conditions.