Health
Body Fat Calculator
The U.S. Navy method estimates body fat percentage from a few tape measurements — no calipers needed. Enter your measurements to see your estimated body-fat percentage and category.
Quick answer: The U.S. Navy method estimates body fat from height plus neck and waist (and hips for women) — accurate within a few points and needs only a tape measure.
- Essential2 – 5%
- Athletic6 – 13%
- Fitness14 – 17%
- Average18 – 24%
- Above average25%+
Estimated with the U.S. Navy circumference method — accurate within a few points for most people, good for tracking trends. For precision, a DEXA scan is the gold standard.
How it works
1. Take the circumference measurements
The U.S. Navy method uses a tape measure: neck and waist for men, plus hips for women, along with height. Measure snugly without compressing the skin, at the levels the method specifies. Accurate, consistent measurements drive the accuracy of the estimate.
2. Apply the Navy formula
The calculator plugs your measurements into the U.S. Navy circumference equation, which estimates body-fat percentage from the ratios between waist, neck, hips, and height. It is a no-equipment method that correlates reasonably well with more involved techniques. Results are an estimate, not a clinical measurement.
3. Compare to category ranges
Body-fat percentage is read against category ranges that differ by sex — for example, athletes typically fall lower than the general fitness range. Unlike BMI, this estimate distinguishes fat from lean mass. Track the trend over time rather than fixating on a single reading.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Navy body fat method work?
It uses a formula based on height plus neck and waist circumference (and hips for women). It's reasonably accurate and needs only a tape measure.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
General fitness ranges are roughly 10–20% for men and 18–28% for women; athletes are lower. Essential fat is about 3–5% for men and 10–13% for women.
How accurate is it?
Within a few percentage points for most people — good for tracking trends. For precision, DEXA scans are the gold standard.