About body fat calculator
This calculator estimates body fat percentage from tape measurements using the U.S. Navy method, which needs only height, neck and waist, plus hip for women.
Measuring correctly
- Measure neck below the larynx and waist at the navel, relaxed, not pulled in.
- Use a soft tape that sits flat and snug without pressing the skin.
- Measure at the same time of day, ideally in the morning.
Accuracy
Tape methods can be off by several percentage points compared with DEXA scans. Use the number to track your own trend over time rather than as an exact value.
Good measuring habits
Measure three times and take the average. Stand relaxed, keep the tape horizontal and measure at the same time of day. Track your numbers over weeks rather than reacting to a single reading, since small changes in tape position can move the result by a percentage point or more.
