Body Fat Calculator
U.S. Navy tape-measure method
Your Measurements
Just below the larynx
Men: at the navel · Women: narrowest point
Widest point of the hips
Body fat (U.S. Navy method)
17.9%
Fitness range
Fat mass-
Lean mass-
BMI-
Estimate from BMI-
Measure snugly against the skin without compressing, 2–3 times, and use the average. Tape methods can differ from DEXA or bioimpedance by about 3–4 percentage points.
Body Fat Categories (ACE)
| Category | Body fat |
|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2–5% |
| Athletes | 6–13% |
| Fitness | 14–17% |
| Average | 18–24% |
| Obese | 25%+ |
American Council on Exercise ranges. Switch to Female to see women's ranges — women carry more essential fat than men.
Formulas & Sources
- U.S. Navy method (Hodgdon & Beckett, 1984): men 495 ÷ (1.0324 − 0.19077·log(waist − neck) + 0.15456·log(height)) − 450
- Women 495 ÷ (1.29579 − 0.35004·log(waist + hip − neck) + 0.22100·log(height)) − 450 (cm)
- BMI estimate: Deurenberg (1991) 1.2 × BMI + 0.23 × age − 10.8 × sex (male = 1) − 5.4
- For general information only — not a medical assessment
Last reviewed: 2026-10-19
FAQ
How is body fat percentage calculated here?
The U.S. Navy method uses height plus neck and waist circumference (and hip for women). All you need is a tape measure.
What is a healthy body fat percentage for men?
ACE ranges for men: 18–24% average, 14–17% fitness, 6–13% athletes, 25% or more obese.
What is a healthy body fat percentage for women?
For women: 25–31% average, 21–24% fitness, 14–20% athletes, 32% or more obese.
How accurate is the Navy method?
It is typically within about 3–4 percentage points of lab methods. Measure the same way each time and track the trend.
Why is body fat better than BMI?
BMI only uses height and weight, so muscular people can be labeled overweight. Body fat percentage shows how much of your weight is actually fat.