Body Fat Calculator

Estimate your body fat percentage from simple tape-measure measurements — no calipers or scans needed.

Body Fat %Enter your measurements to estimate your body fat percentage

Body Fat Categories

Essential2–5%
Athletes6–13%
Fitness14–17%
Average18–24%
Obese25%+

Worked Example — Male, 175 cm, 38 cm neck, 85 cm waist

10.6%Athletes category

Frequently Asked Questions

It uses the U.S. Navy circumference method — a regression formula based on height, neck, and waist measurements (plus hip for women), all taken with a simple tape measure. No calipers, scans, or special equipment needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • This measures a snapshot, not a plan to lose fat. It estimates your current body fat percentage — for a calorie plan to change it, use the Calorie Calculator alongside this.
  • Pull the tape snug, not tight. Compressing the skin under the tape gives a falsely low measurement — the tape should sit against the skin without indenting it.
  • Women naturally have a higher healthy range than men. The category boundaries differ by sex because women carry more essential fat for reproductive and hormonal function — don't compare a woman's percentage to the men's chart.

References

  • Naval Health Research Center (Hodgdon & Beckett, 1984)
  • American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Last reviewed July 2026

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