Army Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage using the Army/Navy tape method.
Estimated body fat
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Take the quizHow the tape method works
The tape method estimates body fat percentage from a few circumference measurements — neck and waist for men, plus hip for women — using a logarithmic formula developed for the U.S. Navy and adopted broadly across the military.
Accuracy depends heavily on measuring correctly and consistently: tape snug but not compressing skin, measured at the same landmarks each time. It's less precise than DEXA or hydrostatic weighing, but it's fast, free, and repeatable.
This is the same underlying formula used across the family of body fat estimates on this site — see the body fat calculator for a general (non-military) version.
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, adopted by the U.S. Army and other service branches for body composition screening
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 compared to other measures?
It's less precise than DEXA scanning or hydrostatic weighing, with an error margin often cited around 3 to 4 percentage points, but it's the standard, low-cost field method used across the military.
Where exactly should I measure my waist and neck?
Official protocols specify precise landmarks (for example, waist at the navel for men). Small measurement differences can noticeably shift the result, so consistency matters more than any single reading.
Does this apply the exact same standard the military uses?
It uses the same formula, but official screening also applies service-specific allowable body fat percentage tables by age and sex, which this calculator doesn't include.
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