Body fat calculator
Body fat calculator: US Navy tape-measure method
This body fat calculator estimates your body fat percentage from your height, neck and waist, plus hip for women, using the US Navy circumference formula. The Army tape test uses the same measurements. It also shows your fat mass and lean mass. The result is an estimate with an error of a few percentage points.
Get it on Google Play → Join the iPhone waitlist Available on Android. iPhone coming soon. Free to start.
Use the body fat calculator
How do I measure for the Navy body fat method?
Stand relaxed and use a flexible tape. Measure the neck just below the larynx, the waist at the navel (for men) and the hip at the widest point (for women), and your height without shoes. Take each measurement twice and use the average, because small errors change the result noticeably.
How accurate is the tape-measure body fat estimate?
It is a rough estimate. Studies of circumference methods report errors of a few percentage points compared with scans such as DEXA, and it can be less reliable at the extremes of body shape. It is most useful for tracking change using the same method over time, not as an exact figure.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
It depends on sex, age and goals. The American Council on Exercise lists about 14 to 24 percent for men and 21 to 31 percent for women as the fitness to average range, and lower ranges for athletes. Very low levels can harm health, so speak to a professional before aiming for the extremes.
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2 to 5% | 10 to 13% |
| Athletes | 6 to 13% | 14 to 20% |
| Fitness | 14 to 17% | 21 to 24% |
| Average | 18 to 24% | 25 to 31% |
| Obese | 25% and above | 32% and above |
Is this the same as the Army body fat calculator?
It uses the same tape measurements as the Army tape test and the same circumference formula as the US Navy method. It does not apply the Army's age-based pass or fail limits, so it cannot tell you whether you meet a service standard. Use the official Army calculation for that.
Next: BMI calculator · lean body mass calculator
Log what you eat in the app
A target only helps if you know what you eat. AI Calorie estimates calories and macros from a photo or a short description. It is free to start with daily limits: see pricing. This calculator is not medical advice; see medical review.
Sources
- Hodgdon JA, Beckett MB. Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. Navy men and women from body circumferences and height. Naval Health Research Center Report 84-29, 1984.
- American Council on Exercise. Percent body fat norms for men and women (body fat categories).
AI Calorie gives general nutrition information and AI-generated estimates. It is not medical advice. See medical review and our Terms of Use.