Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your total body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy method or BMI method. Measure to the nearest 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) for best results.
Measure below the larynx, with tape sloping downward to the front
Measure at horizontal level around the navel
Understanding Body Fat
The scientific term for body fat is "adipose tissue." Adipose tissue serves a number of important functions. Its primary purpose is to store lipids from which the body creates energy. In addition, it secretes a number of important hormones, and provides the body with some cushioning as well as insulation.
Body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential body fat is a base level of fat that is found in most parts of the body. It is necessary fat that maintains life and reproductive functions. The amount of essential fat differs between men and women, and is typically around 2-5% in men, and 10-13% in women. The healthy range of body fat for men is typically defined as 8-19%, while the healthy range for women is 21-33%.
Storage fat is fat that accumulates in adipose tissue, be it subcutaneous fat (deep under the dermis and wrapped around vital organs) or visceral fat (fat located inside the abdominal cavity, between organs). While some storage fat is ideal, excess amounts of storage fat can have serious negative health implications.
Body Fat Categories
The American Council on Exercise provides the following body fat categorization:
| Description | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 10-13% | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Average | 25-31% | 18-24% |
| Obese | 32+% | 25+% |
Jackson & Pollock Ideal Body Fat Percentages
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 17.7% | 8.5% |
| 25 | 18.4% | 10.5% |
| 30 | 19.3% | 12.7% |
| 35 | 21.5% | 13.7% |
| 40 | 22.2% | 15.3% |
| 45 | 22.9% | 16.4% |
| 50 | 25.2% | 18.9% |
| 55 | 26.3% | 20.9% |
U.S. Navy Method
The calculator uses a method involving equations developed at the Naval Health Research Center by Hodgdon and Beckett in 1984. The method for measuring the relevant body parts:
- Measure the circumference of the subject's waist at a horizontal level around the navel for men, and at the level with the smallest width for women. Ensure that the subject does not pull their stomach inwards to obtain accurate measurements.
- Measure the circumference of the subject's neck starting below the larynx, with the tape sloping downward to the front. The subject should avoid flaring their neck outwards.
- For women only: Measure the circumference of the subject's hips at the largest horizontal measure.
Body Fat Percentage Formulas
Note that the results of these calculations are only an estimate since they are based on many different assumptions to make them as applicable to as many people as possible. For more accurate measurements of body fat, the use of instruments such as bioelectric impedance analysis or hydrostatic density testing is necessary.
BMI Method
Another method for calculating an estimate of body fat percentage uses BMI. The following formulas can be used to estimate a person's body fat percentage:
Potential Complications of Excess Body Fat
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies obesity as one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Obesity is associated with a reduction in quality of life, poorer mental health outcomes, obstructive sleep apnea, as well as multiple leading causes of death worldwide such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain cancers and diabetes.
Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, disrupts the normal balance and function of hormones. Furthermore, body fat, specifically visceral fat, has a role in the release of specific cytokines, which are a broad category of proteins involved in cell signaling, that can potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Visceral fat is also directly associated with higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and insulin resistance.
High levels of LDL cholesterol can clog arteries and lead to complications including heart attacks. Insulin resistance involves cells not properly responding to the hormone insulin, which can lead to high blood sugar levels, and eventually to type 2 diabetes. As can be seen, excess visceral fat can have measurable negative impacts to a person's health.