Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body fat percentage using different methods and understand your body composition for better health and fitness planning.
Your Body Fat Results
Your Body Fat Percentage
18.5%
Fitness
Body Fat Categories
Body Fat Categories
Essential Fat
Men: 2-5%
Women: 10-13%
Athlete
Men: 6-13%
Women: 14-20%
Fitness
Men: 14-17%
Women: 21-24%
Average
Men: 18-24%
Women: 25-31%
Obese
Men: 25%+
Women: 32%+
Health Recommendations
Your body fat percentage is in the fitness range. Maintain your current lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.
Your Lean Body Mass
57.1 kg (125.9 lbs)
Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage is the proportion of fat your body contains compared to your total body weight. Unlike BMI, which only considers height and weight, body fat percentage gives a more accurate assessment of body composition by distinguishing between fat mass and lean body mass.
Why Measure Body Fat?
Knowing your body fat percentage is important because:
- It provides a more accurate health assessment than BMI alone
- Helps track fitness progress beyond just weight changes
- Identifies health risks associated with too much or too little body fat
- Guides nutrition and exercise plans for optimal body composition
Calculation Methods
The U.S. Navy body fat calculator uses circumference measurements to estimate body fat percentage. For men, it requires neck and waist measurements. For women, it also requires hip measurements.
Formulas used:
Men: %Fat = 86.010×log10(waist - neck) - 70.041×log10(height) + 36.76
Women: %Fat = 163.205×log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684×log10(height) - 78.387
The skinfold method estimates body fat by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat at specific body locations using calipers. Different formulas exist based on the number and location of skinfold sites.
Common formulas include:
- 3-site (chest, abdomen, thigh for men; triceps, suprailiac, thigh for women)
- 4-site (abdomen, triceps, thigh, suprailiac)
- 7-site (chest, midaxillary, triceps, subscapular, abdomen, suprailiac, thigh)
Body Fat Categories
| Category | Men | Women | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 2-5% | 10-13% | Minimum needed for physiological health |
| Athlete | 6-13% | 14-20% | Typical of competitive athletes |
| Fitness | 14-17% | 21-24% | Fit and toned appearance |
| Average | 18-24% | 25-31% | Typical for general population |
| Obese | 25%+ | 32%+ | Increased health risks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Online body fat calculators provide estimates that are generally within 3-5% of your actual body fat percentage. They're useful for tracking trends over time but shouldn't be considered medical-grade measurements. For the most accurate results, consider professional methods like DEXA scans, hydrostatic weighing, or Bod Pod tests.
BMI (Body Mass Index) only considers your height and weight, while body fat percentage measures the proportion of fat in your body. BMI can misclassify muscular individuals as overweight/obese and may not detect excess fat in people with normal weight. Body fat percentage provides a more accurate assessment of body composition.
For most people, measuring every 4-8 weeks is sufficient to track meaningful changes. Measuring more frequently can be discouraging as natural fluctuations occur daily due to hydration, food intake, and other factors. Always measure under consistent conditions (same time of day, hydration level, etc.).
Yes, having too little body fat can be dangerous. Essential fat is necessary for normal physiological function. For men, dropping below 3-5% can lead to health issues like hormonal imbalances, weakened immunity, and organ dysfunction. For women, dropping below 10-13% can cause menstrual irregularities, bone loss, and other serious health problems.
Body Fat Health Tip:
Focus on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than rapid fat loss. Aim to lose no more than 0.5-1% of body fat per month to preserve muscle mass and metabolic health. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise routine.