Body Fat Calculator
Calculate your body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy Method. Get accurate body fat estimates with measurements of height, weight, neck, waist, and hip circumference.
| Body Fat (U.S. Navy Method) | 24.1% |
| Body Fat Category | Fitness |
| Body Fat Mass | 16.9 kg |
| Lean Body Mass | 53.1 kg |
| Ideal Body Fat for Given Age (Jackson & Pollock) |
18.4% |
| Body Fat to Lose to Reach Ideal | 4.0 kg |
| Body Fat (BMI method) | 26.9% |
Body Fat Categories
According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Male
| Category | Body Fat Range |
|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 14-17% |
| Average | 18-24% |
| Obese | 25%+ |
Female
| Category | Body Fat Range |
|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 10-13% |
| Athletes | 14-20% |
| Fitness | 21-24% |
| Average | 25-31% |
| Obese | 32%+ |
Ideal Body Fat Percentages by Age (Jackson & Pollock)
| Age | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 17.7% | 8.5% |
| 25 | 18.4% | 10.5% |
| 30 | 19.3% | 12.7% |
| 35 | 21.5% | 13.7% |
| 40 | 22.2% | 15.3% |
| 45 | 22.9% | 16.4% |
| 50 | 25.2% | 18.9% |
| 55 | 26.3% | 20.9% |
What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage is the percentage of your total body weight that is made up of fat. It includes both essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential fat is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions, while storage fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue.
U.S. Navy Method
The U.S. Navy Method uses circumference measurements along with height to estimate body fat percentage. This method was developed by the Naval Health Research Center by Hodgdon and Beckett in 1984. It is one of the most widely used methods for estimating body fat percentage.
Formulas
Male:
Body Fat % = 86.010 × log10(waist - neck) - 70.041 × log10(height) + 36.76
Note: Measurements are converted from cm to inches for calculation
Female:
Body Fat % = 163.205 × log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684 × log10(height) - 78.387
Note: Measurements are converted from cm to inches for calculation
Essential vs. Storage Body Fat
Essential body fat is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions. The essential fat percentage is typically 2-5% for men and 10-13% for women. This fat is found in the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, muscles, and lipid-rich tissues throughout the central nervous system.
Storage body fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, which can be subcutaneous (under the skin) or visceral (around organs). While some storage fat is necessary for protection and insulation, excessive amounts can lead to health problems.
Health Considerations
Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage is important for overall health. Too much or too little body fat can lead to various health issues.
Excessive body fat, particularly visceral fat around organs, is associated with increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, stroke, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.
Having too little body fat can also be dangerous, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances, weakened immune system, decreased bone density, heart problems, and fertility issues. Athletes and individuals with very low body fat should consult with healthcare professionals to ensure they maintain healthy levels.