What's your body fat?
U.S. Navy method — tape measure, no calipers
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Within 3-4% of DEXA for most people. Accuracy decreases at very low (<8%) or very high (>35%) body fat levels.
Men: 6-24% (athletes 6-13%, fitness 14-17%, average 18-24%). Women: 14-31% (athletes 14-20%, fitness 21-24%, average 25-31%).
Measure at the navel level while standing relaxed. Do not suck in your stomach. Use a flexible tape measure snug against skin.
Women store more fat in the hips and thighs. The Navy formula accounts for this sex-based fat distribution pattern.
Sources
- Hodgdon JA, Beckett MB. Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. Navy men and women from body circumferences and height. Naval Health Research Center Report No. 84-29. 1984.
- ACE. What are the guidelines for percentage of body fat loss? American Council on Exercise. Link
Methodology
Uses the U.S. Navy Hodgdon-Beckett method. Men: BF% = 86.010 x log10(waist - neck) - 70.041 x log10(height) + 36.76. Women: BF% = 163.205 x log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684 x log10(height) + 36.76. All measurements in centimeters.
Body fat percentage can be estimated using the U.S. Navy method with circumference measurements. For men: measure neck and waist. For women: add hip measurement. Healthy ranges: men 6-24%, women 14-31%. The method is within 3-4% of DEXA scans for most people.
What else do you want to know?
Ask Pulse anything.