Body fat calculator
All you need is a tape measure. Measure the neck, the waist (and hips for women) and get an estimate within a few percent.
Body fat categories (ACE)
| Category | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 10%–13% | 2%–5% |
| Athletes | 14%–20% | 6%–13% |
| Fitness | 21%–24% | 14%–17% |
| Average | 25%–31% | 18%–24% |
| Obese | 32%+ | 25%+ |
Questions people ask
How accurate is the Navy method?
It usually lands within about 3–4 percentage points of lab methods like DEXA, which is good for tracking change over time with the same tape and technique. Very muscular or very lean people get the least accurate readings.
What is a healthy body fat percentage?
The American Council on Exercise puts average at 18–24% for men and 25–31% for women, and fitness ranges at 14–17% and 21–24%. Going below essential fat (2–5% for men, 10–13% for women) is unhealthy.