Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Calculate your body fat percentage using the US Navy method, a scientifically validated approach used by fitness professionals worldwide.
Measurement Tips
- Measure in the morning before eating or drinking.
- Keep the measuring tape snug but not tight.
- For waist measurement, measure at the narrowest point.
- Body fat percentage is a better indicator of health than weight or BMI alone.
- Men and women naturally have different healthy body fat percentage ranges.
- Essential fat is necessary for basic physiological functions and health.
- Athletes often have lower body fat percentages but higher muscle mass.
About the Calculation Method
This calculator uses the US Navy method, which estimates body fat percentage based on height, neck, waist, and hip measurements. It's considered accurate within 3-4% of underwater weighing tests.
Body fat percentage is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass. It includes essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential fat is necessary for maintaining life and reproductive functions.
Understanding your body fat percentage is crucial because it provides a more accurate picture of your health than weight or BMI alone. It helps assess your risk for certain health conditions and can guide fitness and nutrition plans.
BMI vs. Body Fat Percentage
While BMI is easy to calculate, it has several limitations compared to body fat percentage:
- BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle mass
- Athletes with high muscle mass may be classified as overweight or obese by BMI standards
- BMI doesn't account for fat distribution, which is important for health risk assessment
