Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage from a few tape measurements — no calipers or scanner needed — and see how much of your weight is lean mass.
Just below the larynx
At the navel
Body fat
17.8%
Fitness
Fat mass
12.5 kg
Lean body mass
57.5 kg
At 17.8% body fat you fall in the Fitness range for men. Your lean mass of 57.5 kg is what stays when fat is excluded — muscle, bone, organs and water.
Uses the US Navy circumference method, which is accurate to roughly 3 to 4% against DEXA scanning when measurements are taken carefully. Measure with a flexible tape held snug but not compressing the skin, at the end of a normal exhale, and take each measurement twice. Women naturally carry more essential fat than men, which is why the bands differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the Navy method?
Within roughly 3 to 4 percentage points of a DEXA scan when measurements are taken carefully. That is good enough to track change over time, which matters more than the absolute number.
How should I take the measurements?
Use a flexible tape held snug without compressing the skin, measure at the end of a normal exhale, and take each one twice. Measure the neck just below the larynx, and the waist at the navel for men or the narrowest point for women.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
For men, 14 to 18% is the fitness range and 18 to 25% is average. For women it is 21 to 25% and 25 to 32%. Women naturally carry more essential fat, which is why the bands are higher and not comparable across sexes.
Why does body fat matter more than weight?
Because two people at the same weight can have very different health profiles. Losing fat while gaining muscle can leave the scale unchanged even though your body composition has improved substantially.