Body Composition Assessment
Body Fat Calculator

Determine your Body Fat Percentage (BFP) using scientifically accepted methods like the U.S. Navy formula.

Body Composition
Weight Management
Health Indicator
Fitness Tracking

Understanding Your Body Composition

Learn the distinction between fat types, healthy ranges, and the formulas used for estimation.

Essential vs. Storage Fat

Essential fat is necessary for survival (2-5% for men; 10-13% for women). Storage fat accumulates in adipose tissue (subcutaneous and visceral) and is the target of fitness goals.

Healthy Range

The healthy body fat range is typically 8-19% for men and 21-33% for women, though this varies based on age, lifestyle (athlete vs. average), and specific guidelines (ACE, Jackson & Pollock).

Navy & BMI Formulas

  • U.S. Navy Method:Uses circumference measurements (waist, neck, hip) and height to estimate BFP. Provides good field accuracy.
  • BMI Method:A simpler estimation using Body Mass Index (BMI), Age, and Sex. Example for men: $\text{BFP} = 1.20 \times \text{BMI} + 0.23 \times \text{Age} - 16.2$

Health Risks

Excess body fat (obesity) is a leading preventable cause of death, increasing risks for heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, and Type 2 diabetes. Insufficient fat also leads to health issues.

Health Metrics

Explore Other Body Metric Tools

Calculate your BMI, BMR, or Waist-to-Height Ratio for a complete view of your health and fitness.

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WHR Calculator

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Steps to Calorie Calculator

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Get clarity on why BFP is important, how it's measured, and the health implications of body fat levels.

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Body fat percentage is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100. Body fat includes essential body fat (necessary for life) and storage body fat (which accumulates in adipose tissue).
Understanding your body fat percentage is crucial for assessing overall health. Excessive body fat increases the risk of various health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Low levels can also impair hormone function.
Healthy body fat percentages vary by age and sex. For men, a healthy range is typically 8-19%, while for women, it's 21-33%. Essential fat is the minimum required (e.g., 2-5% for men).
Body fat can be measured using various methods including skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), hydrostatic weighing, DEXA scans, and estimation formulas like the U.S. Navy Method and the BMI Method.