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What is Body Fat Calculator?
A body fat calculator estimates the percentage of your body weight that is fat tissue using measurements like waist circumference, neck circumference, and height. Unlike BMI, it gives a more meaningful indicator of health and fitness by distinguishing fat from lean mass.
How to Use
- Enter your gender, weight, and height
- Measure and enter your waist circumference at the navel
- For males, add neck circumference; for females, add hip circumference
- View your estimated body fat percentage and fitness category
Formula
US Navy Method (Male): BF% = 86.010 x log10(waist - neck) - 70.041 x log10(height) + 36.76
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a healthy body fat percentage?
- For men: essential 2-5%, athletic 6-13%, fit 14-17%, average 18-24%. For women: essential 10-13%, athletic 14-20%, fit 21-24%, average 25-31%.
- How accurate is the tape measure method?
- The US Navy method is accurate within 3-4% for most people. It's less precise than DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing but much more accessible.
- Can I have a normal BMI but high body fat?
- Yes, this is called 'skinny fat' (normal weight obesity). It's common in people who are sedentary with low muscle mass and carries similar health risks to being overweight.