Estimate body fat percentage from a few tape-measure readings.
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2–5% | 10–13% |
| Athletes | 6–13% | 14–20% |
| Fitness | 14–17% | 21–24% |
| Average | 18–24% | 25–31% |
| Above average | 25% and up | 32% and up |
This uses the circumference equations developed by the U.S. Naval Health Research Center (Hodgdon and Beckett, 1984), with all measurements in inches:
Centimeter inputs are converted to inches first. The ranges in the table follow the general categories published by the American Council on Exercise.
How accurate is the tape method?
It's a reasonable estimate for most people, typically within a few percentage points of lab methods, but it depends heavily on measuring the same way each time. Methods like a DEXA scan are more precise.
Where exactly do I measure?
Neck: just below the Adam's apple, tape angled slightly down toward the front. Waist: men at the belly button, women at the narrowest point. Hips (women): the widest part of the buttocks. Stand relaxed and don't suck in.
Why do men and women use different formulas?
Men and women tend to store fat in different places, so the formulas were developed and tested separately for each.