This body fat calculator uses the U.S. Navy Circumference Method where three/ four body measurements are fed into a fixed formula to estimate the percentage of your body that is made up of fat.
Read about other more accurate techniques to estimate body fat.
Average body fat percentages vary between men and women:
| Body Fat Rating Scale | Women | Men |
| Essential Fat | 10 – 13% | 2 – 5 % |
| Lean (Athlete) | 14 – 20% | 6 – 13% |
| Average (Fitness) | 21 – 24 % | 14 – 17% |
| Acceptable | 25 – 31% | 18 – 25% |
These figures are a guide only. The above calculation is a basic guide and does not consider personal factors such as your level of fitness, muscle mass or any other factors. If you have concerns about your weight, please contact your family physician.
Body Fat Calculator Instructions
The measurements need to be accurate to within 0.5cm/ 0.25 inches and should be taken as follows:
- Neck: taken below the larynx slightly sloping downward at the front
- Waist: women at the smallest point; men at the level of the navel
- Hips (women only): at the largest point
10 Comments on "Body Fat Calculator"
Frustrating.. No matter what I do it always says “invalid height”. Well excuse me, but my height is VERY valid!
Make sure you entered your height in whatever measurement you picked. Like if you picked inches, you have to enter it in inches not feet.
Ms. Lady Devilish , if you are let’s say 5′ ,you have to multiply 5×12 =60 .Because if you are using inches, there is 12 inches in 1 foot. Hope it helps.Bec.that’s what I did and it take it.Good luck.
Woot! I got 16.6%. But I wish the results weren’t in red it makes it like it’s a bad result
Woot! I got 16.6%. But I wish the results weren’t in red it makes it seem like it’s a bad result
Hey Roxanne!
that’s true! i’ll try and change it. thanks for letting me know!
mine was 18.6- although I have really large thighs and I’m trying to slim them down! I think it’s mainly muscle as I did a lot of sport when I was younger and I have a very high metabolism. I’m slim everywhere else so my thighs look out of proportion- any ideas on the best way to slim them down? I’ve heard running is a good method?
Hi Cathy,
Sorry for not getting back to you faster. Yes running is a great way to slim down your legs. Check out this article on how to slim down thighs and this beginner running program. Good luck!
what, I got 8.5%, I must have gotten the hight wrong
There we go, I changed my hight so It was the correct 66″ and I got 11.8%