Body Fat Calculator

Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy tape method.

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Estimated body fat

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Not sure which body type category you lean toward? Take the Body Type Quiz quiz.

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How this body fat estimate works

This calculator uses the U.S. Navy circumference method: neck and waist for men, plus hip for women, run through a logarithmic formula. It's fast and repeatable, though less precise than DEXA or hydrostatic weighing.

Once you know your body fat percentage, the lean body mass calculator and FFMI calculator both use it to give you more detail on your composition. The body shape calculator uses the same waist and hip measurements if you're also curious about overall proportion, and the body type quiz is a quick way to explore that if you're not sure where to look.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

  • U.S. Navy circumference-based body fat estimation formula

These are planning estimates for training purposes. Check with a coach, trainer, or physician before starting a new program or maxing out.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is the tape method?

It's generally accurate within a few percentage points for most body types, though it can be less reliable for people with atypical fat distribution.

What body fat percentage is considered athletic?

Roughly under 14% for men and under 21% for women is often considered an athletic range, though healthy ranges vary by sport and individual.

Why does the formula need different inputs for men and women?

Men and women typically distribute fat differently, so the Navy formula uses different measurement sites and coefficients calibrated separately by sex.

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