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Body Fat Calculator

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

Your details

Circumferences

Results

Body fat percentage
16.9 %
Fitness
Fat mass
11.9 kg
16.9% of body weight
Lean mass
58.1 kg
83.1% of body weight
Body fat category
Fitness
Male ranges
Body fat scale (men)
2 – 50%
2513172550
Essential (2–5%)
Athlete (5–13%)
Fitness (13–17%)
Average (17–25%)
Obese (25–50%)
Method: U.S. Navy circumference method. Estimates body fat from height and key circumference measurements. For accuracy, measure on bare skin at the narrowest point of the neck and at the level of the navel (waist). For women, measure hips at the widest point.

What is the Body Fat Calculator?

A body fat calculator estimates your body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method. By entering your neck, waist, and (for women) hip measurements along with height and sex, you get a fast, tape-measure-based alternative to DEXA scans and skinfold calipers.

Body Fat Calculator formula

Navy method for men: %BF = 495 ÷ (1.0324 − 0.19077 × log10(waist − neck) + 0.15456 × log10(height)) − 450. For women: %BF = 495 ÷ (1.29579 − 0.35004 × log10(waist + hip − neck) + 0.22100 × log10(height)) − 450. All measurements in cm. Healthy body fat is typically 10–20% for men and 18–28% for women.

How to use the Body Fat calculator

  1. 1Select your biological sex — the formula differs for men and women.
  2. 2Enter your height in cm or inches.
  3. 3Measure and enter your neck circumference at the narrowest point.
  4. 4Measure your waist at the navel (and hip at the widest point, for women).
  5. 5Click Calculate to view your body fat percentage and category.

Example calculation

For a man with waist 84 cm, neck 38 cm, height 178 cm: log10(46) = 1.6628 and log10(178) = 2.2504. %BF = 495 ÷ (1.0324 − 0.19077×1.6628 + 0.15456×2.2504) − 450 = 495 ÷ (1.0324 − 0.3171 + 0.3479) − 450 = 495 ÷ 1.0632 − 450 ≈ 15.6% body fat (fitness range).

Frequently asked questions

What is a good body fat percentage?
For men, 10–20% is generally considered healthy; for women, 18–28%. Athletes often sit lower (men 6–13%, women 14–20%), while above 25% for men or 32% for women is typically classed as obese.
How accurate is the Navy body fat calculator?
The U.S. Navy circumference method is usually within 3–4% of DEXA results when measurements are taken correctly. For best accuracy, measure at the same time of day, exhale fully before reading the waist, and have a friend help. Body fat calculators are estimates — consult a healthcare professional for clinical assessment.
How do I measure waist and neck for the Navy method?
Measure the neck just below the larynx and the waist at the navel (men) or natural waistline (women), keeping the tape horizontal and snug but not compressing the skin. For women, also measure the hips at the widest point.
Is body fat percentage better than BMI?
Body fat percentage directly measures composition, while BMI only uses height and weight. Body fat is more informative for athletes, older adults, and anyone muscular whose BMI may look high despite low fat.

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