Use this calculator to find your body fat percentage and ideal weight for a healthy body fat level. Choose from multiple formulas, including U.S. Navy, Covert Bailey, Jackson-Pollock, Durnin-Womersley, and BMI.
Add this calculator to your site
Use this calculator to estimate the percentage of body fat you have compared to your total body weight. The calculator uses different methods that we are going to mention below for calculating the percentage of body fat (BF). It is an instant way to get a general idea about the excess flab (fat) your body contains.
Input (Required):
Output (Calculated):
Body composition is an important factor in overall health, involving measuring the different proportions of muscle, fat, bone, water, and other tissues in your body. An ideal body composition comes with a higher percentage of muscle mass along with the lower percentage of body fat.
Although your body fat not at all reveals about your health status, it is still important to determine valuable insights (inflammation levels, overall fitness, hormonal balance, etc.) Your overall fat mass can easily be figured out by using body fat percentage calculator. Maintaining a healthy body composition with a balance of lower body fat and higher muscle mass is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, better metabolic health, and improved physical performance.
Rating |
Males |
Females |
Athletic |
8-15 |
5 - 10% |
Good |
16-23 |
11-14 |
Acceptable |
24-30 |
15-20 |
Overweight |
31-36 |
21-24 |
Obese |
>37 |
>24 |
You can use the given formula or methods to get an estimation of your body fat percentage. Alternatively, you can navigate with this best body fat calculator which takes a couple of seconds to determine the fat's contribution in a body.
Body fat percentage is the total mass of the fat divided by the total mass of the body. And then multiply the result by 100.
\(BFP = \frac{\text {Mass of Fat}}{\text {Body Mass}} \times 100\)
There are various methods to make calculations for body fat, but we are going to discuss few that are convenient to use. Even our body fat calculator uses the same to find the percentage.
1. Circumference Measurement
The circumference method helps to estimate body fat percentage by measuring the girth of specific body parts. To do the body circumference measurements (waist, hips, neck, and navel) requires a non-stretchable measuring tape.
Measuring the circumference of different parts of the body is the easiest way to determine body fat at home. The methods use the measurements for body fat are given below:
1.1 - U.S. Navy (Tape Measuring):
This method was developed by the U.S. Navy's Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) in San Diego, California for estimating the body fat percentage. This method was developed specifically for military personnel to meet body fat percentage for services.
Female:
\[ \text{Body Fat \%} = 163.205 \times \log_{10} (\text{Waist} + \text{Hips} - \text{Neck}) - 97.684 \times \log_{10} (\text{Height}) + 78.387 \]
Male:
\[ \text{Body Fat \%} = 86.010 \times \log_{10} (\text{Waist} - \text{Neck}) - 70.041 \times \log_{10} (\text{Height}) + 36.76\]
Accuracy: 3.5%
1.2 - Parrillio (Fat Caliper)
This was produced by the bodybuilding coach John Parrillo and introduced a specific formula, especially for fitness-oriented individuals. Parrillio fat % determination involves taking measurements at 9 sites:
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{27 \times \text{Sum of Skinfold Sites}}{\text{Body Weight (lb)}} \]
Accuracy: 2.0%. Source: National Personal Training Institute
2. Skinfold Measurement
Skinfold body fat measurements were introduced by researchers in 1978 named Dr. Andrew Jackson and M. L. Pollock. As with all of their methods, they aim to establish a system for assessing an individual's fat percentage. Both scholars incorporated to development of simple mathematical equations that take various body sites.
2. 1 - Jackson Pollock 7
In this test, men and women have the same measurements for body sites in mm (millimeters). These including:
For Female:
\[ \text{Body Density} = 1.097 - (0.00046971 \times \text{sum of skinfolds}) + (0.00000056 \times \text{sum of skinfolds}^2) - (0.00012828 \times \text{age}) \]
<\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
For Male:
\[ \text{Body Density} = 1.112 - (0.00043499 \times \text{Sum of Skinfolds}) + (0.00000055 \times (\text{Sum of Skinfolds})^2) - (0.00028826 \times \text{Age}) \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
2. 2 - Jackson Pollock 4
For both men and women, the skinfold measurements are taken at the same sites like:
For Female:
\[ \text{Body Density} = (0.29669 \times \text{Sum of Skinfolds}) - (0.00043 \times (\text{Sum of Skinfolds})^2) + (0.02963 \times \text{Age}) + 1.4072 \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
For Male:
\[ \text{Body Density} = (0.29288 \times \text{Sum of Skinfolds}) - (0.0005 \times (\text{Sum of Skinfolds})^2) + (0.15845 \times \text{Age}) - 5.76377 \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
2.3 - Jackson Pollock 3
In 3-site body fat, males and females vary in body size measurements.
For Female:
\[ \text{Body Density} = 1.0994921 - (0.0009929 \times \text{Sum of Skinfolds}) + (0.0000023 \times (\text{Sum of Skinfolds})^2) - (0.0001392 \times \text{Age}) \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
For Male:
\[ \text{Body Density} = 1.10938 - (0.0008267 \times \text{Sum of Skinfolds}) + (0.0000016 \times (\text{Sum of Skinfolds})^2) - (0.0002574 \times \text{Age}) \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
2.4 - Durnin/Womersley
In Durnin & Womersley method, taking body fat at 4 sites:
For Female:
\[ \text{Body Density} (D) = 1.1599 - (0.0717 \times \log(\text{sum of skinfolds})) \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
For Male:
\[ \text{Body Density (D)} = 1.1631 - (0.0632 \times \log(\text{sum of skinfolds})) \]
\[ \text{Body Fat Percentage} = \frac{495}{\text{Body Density}} - 450 \]
Source: legionathletics
Accuracy: For all skinfold methods the range in between 3.5 - 5%
Body fat percentage indicates how physically active and fit you are. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the normal range of body fat can safely go as 10% for women and 3% for men. These ranges can vary based on age and gender, take a look at the given chart that shows body fat percentage for men and women.
Age | Body Fat Percentage for Men | Body Fat Percentage for Women |
20-39 | 8%-19% | 21%-32% |
40-59 | 11%-21% | 23%-33% |
60-79 | 13%-24% | 24%-35% |
Claire Edgemon, a senior registered dietitian at Baylor College of Medicine, explains how important knowing your body fat percentage or BMI can work as a natural assistance for reaching your weight goals. These measurments are enough important to monitor overall health. However, not only is BMI (Body Mass Index) alone is taken into account to diagnose health issues or define body fat, She Said. To get a clear picture of your health weight, Claire recommended considering both BMI and fat percentage. Changes can take place by simply focusing on diet and exercise, both assisting in maintaining BMI as well as Body Fat percentage.
These practices help to shrink or reduce the fat content loaded within your body:
First of all, anyone can use it to determine the body fat percentage. Also:
The normal range of fat is about 10% of your overall body fat. You can find out this fat level by calculating the total body fat % and then taking off 10%.
In terms of physiology, women require a higher amount of essential body fat compared to men. Therefore, women need a bit more body fat to maintain good health. But the other factors for ideal body fat include their age and sex.
Support
Calculator Online Team Privacy Policy Terms of Service Content Disclaimer Advertise TestimonialsEmail us at
[email protected]© Copyrights 2024 by Calculator-Online.net