Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy tape-measurement method.
About this tool
The U.S. Navy method estimates body fat percentage from a few tape measurements instead of calipers or a scan. It's less precise than a DEXA scan but far more accessible, and tracks changes over time reasonably well as long as you measure the same way each time.
Key Features
- No special equipment — just a tape measure
- Separate formulas for men and women
- Instant body fat percentage
How to Use
- Select your sex.
- Measure and enter height, neck and waist (and hip, for women) in centimeters.
- Click Calculate Body Fat.
Benefits
- Track body composition changes over time without a DEXA scan
- Cheap, repeatable, and reasonably consistent method
- Useful alongside weight and BMI for a fuller picture
Frequently Asked Questions
It's typically within a few percentage points of more precise methods like DEXA scans for most people, though accuracy can drop for very lean or very high body-fat individuals. It's best used to track your own trend over time rather than as an exact number.
Waist is measured at the navel, neck just below the larynx, and hip (for women) at the widest point. Measure snugly but without compressing the skin, and measure at the same time of day for consistent tracking.