Body Fat Calculator

Your body fat percentage from a tape measure — the US Navy method.

FREE TOOL · WORKS OFFLINE · NO SIGN-UP

Men can ignore the hip field — the Navy formula for men uses waist and neck only.

Body fat percentage
—
Category
—
Method
US Navy

📏 How to Use This Body Fat Calculator

  1. 1.Pick your sex. The Navy formula is different for men and women — women also need a hip measurement.
  2. 2.Enter your height in inches. For example, 5 ft 10 in is 70 inches. Measure without shoes.
  3. 3.Measure neck and waist with a soft tape. Neck just below the Adam's apple, waist at navel level — snug, not tight.
  4. 4.Read your percentage and category. Results update instantly as you type — no button to press.
  5. 5.Re-measure weekly, same time of day. The trend over a few weeks means more than any single reading.

❓ FAQ

How does the US Navy body fat formula work?

It estimates body fat from circumference measurements instead of weight. For men it uses waist and neck; for women it adds the hip. The formula combines the waist-minus-neck difference (plus hip for women) with height, using base-10 logarithms, because body volume grows in a predictable way with those circumferences.

How accurate is the Navy method?

Studies put it within about 3–4% of underwater weighing for most people, which is good for a free tape-measure method. Very muscular people can read a little high, and exactly where you measure makes a difference, so track the trend over time rather than one single reading.

How do I measure correctly?

Measure the neck just below the Adam's apple, the waist at navel level for men or the narrowest point for women, and the hip at the widest point. Keep the tape snug but not tight, stand relaxed, and measure in the morning before eating for the most consistent results.

What is a healthy body fat percentage?

For men, roughly 14–17% is considered fit and 18–24% average; for women, roughly 21–24% is fit and 25–31% average. Athletes often sit lower. Very low levels (under 5% for men, under 13% for women) are not healthy for most people.

More free tools →