Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Measured at navel level.
Measured just below the larynx.
The US Navy method estimates body fat percentage from simple circumference measurements — waist, neck, height, and (for women) hips — using a logarithmic formula developed and validated for military fitness testing. It is one of the most accessible body composition estimates, requiring only a flexible tape measure.
Athletes and general fitness trackers use it as a free, repeatable alternative to DEXA scans or skinfold calipers, ideal for tracking body composition trends over weeks and months rather than getting a single lab-grade reading.
- No Special Equipment: Only needs a flexible tape measure — no calipers, scales, or scanning equipment required.
- Different Formula by Sex: Men's formula uses waist and neck; women's formula adds hip circumference for accuracy.
- Best for Tracking Trends: More useful for monitoring change over time than for a single precise reading — measure consistently at the same time of day.
Where exactly do I measure my waist and neck?
Measure your waist at the navel level, and your neck just below the larynx (Adam's apple), keeping the tape measure horizontal and snug but not compressing the skin.
Is the Navy method accurate?
It has a margin of error of roughly ±3-4% compared to DEXA scans, which is accurate enough for tracking progress over time, though not for clinical diagnosis.
Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Measured at navel level.
Measured just below the larynx.
The US Navy method estimates body fat percentage from simple circumference measurements — waist, neck, height, and (for women) hips — using a logarithmic formula developed and validated for military fitness testing. It is one of the most accessible body composition estimates, requiring only a flexible tape measure.
Athletes and general fitness trackers use it as a free, repeatable alternative to DEXA scans or skinfold calipers, ideal for tracking body composition trends over weeks and months rather than getting a single lab-grade reading.
- No Special Equipment: Only needs a flexible tape measure — no calipers, scales, or scanning equipment required.
- Different Formula by Sex: Men's formula uses waist and neck; women's formula adds hip circumference for accuracy.
- Best for Tracking Trends: More useful for monitoring change over time than for a single precise reading — measure consistently at the same time of day.
Where exactly do I measure my waist and neck?
Measure your waist at the navel level, and your neck just below the larynx (Adam's apple), keeping the tape measure horizontal and snug but not compressing the skin.
Is the Navy method accurate?
It has a margin of error of roughly ±3-4% compared to DEXA scans, which is accurate enough for tracking progress over time, though not for clinical diagnosis.