How This Calculator Works
Body Fat turns the inputs into a visible formula-based estimate. Use it as an informational estimate and keep personal variation, routine changes, and non-medical context in mind.
Use the body fat percentage calculator to estimate body fat using height, neck, waist, sex, and hip measurement where applicable.
The US Navy method estimates body fat from circumference measurements. It is a screening estimate, not a lab measurement.
Formula
Male: 86.010 log10(waist - neck) - 70.041 log10(height) + 36.76. Female: 163.205 log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684 log10(height) - 78.387.
Example Calculation
A 70 inch tall male with 34 inch waist and 15 inch neck estimates about 20% body fat.
When to Use This Calculator
- Track body composition trends
- Compare circumference changes
- Estimate fitness progress
Practical Scenarios
- Use the calculator to establish a rough baseline, then compare it with how your routine, body context, and goal actually feel in practice. Use case: Track body composition trends.
- Rerun the estimate when activity, weight, sleep, training load, medication, or health status changes enough to move the inputs. Start with Body Fat, then compare the changed result with the original.
- Use related health and fitness calculators for context, not as a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. This is especially useful when you need to estimate fitness progress.
Tips
- Measure consistently
- Use trends more than one reading
- Professional methods may differ materially
Common Mistakes
- Measuring over clothing
- Using centimeters in inch fields
- Treating the estimate as diagnostic
- Treating a population formula as a personal medical recommendation.
- Ignoring personal variation such as training status, body composition, medication, illness, or clinical history.
Assumptions and Limitations
The Body Fat Percentage Calculator is an informational estimate and should be interpreted with personal context rather than treated as a diagnosis or treatment plan. Review the formula, assumptions, and related calculators before using the result in a decision.
- Age, medical history, body composition, medication, training status, and personal context can change what the result means.
- The result is informational and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Use health estimates as a starting point for discussion with a qualified professional when needed.
Body Fat keeps body fat percentage, US Navy body fat, waist neck height and health estimate grounded in estimates, personal variation, and non-medical wording.