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US Navy Method

Body Fat Percentage Calculator (US Navy Method)

Estimate your body fat percentage with just a tape measure, using the US Navy circumference formula.

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Body Fat % Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage using the US Navy tape measure method
? Male
? Female
Enter measurements to calculate

Medical disclaimer. This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, diet, exercise, or medication decisions. Read full disclaimer →

About Body Fat Percentage Calculator

Body fat percentage is a more accurate health indicator than BMI because it distinguishes fat mass from lean mass (muscle, bone, water, organs). Our calculator uses the US Navy tape measure method requiring waist, neck, and hip measurements - achieving approximately plus or minus 3-4% accuracy, comparable to bioelectrical impedance scales. The formula uses logarithms of the measurement differences.

Healthy body fat ranges: Men - Essential 2-5%, Athletic 6-13%, Fitness 14-17%, Average 18-24%, Obese 25%+. Women - Essential 10-13%, Athletic 14-20%, Fitness 21-24%, Average 25-31%, Obese 32%+. Women naturally carry more essential fat due to reproductive physiology. Track BFP monthly to assess whether training is building lean mass or losing fat - it provides more actionable data than scale weight alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

The US Navy method estimates body fat percentage from circumference measurements: neck, waist, and height for men; neck, waist, hip, and height for women. It uses a logarithmic formula relating the difference between waist (plus hip, for women) and neck circumference to overall body fat, achieving roughly plus-or-minus 3-4% accuracy compared to more elaborate lab methods.
The Navy method's accuracy (about plus-or-minus 3-4%) is comparable to consumer bioelectrical impedance scales, though less precise than DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing. It's most useful for tracking trends over time rather than getting one perfectly precise number, since consistent measurement technique matters more than the formula itself.
For men: essential fat 2-5%, athletic 6-13%, fitness 14-17%, average 18-24%, obese 25%+. For women: essential fat 10-13%, athletic 14-20%, fitness 21-24%, average 25-31%, obese 32%+. Women naturally carry more essential fat than men due to reproductive physiology, which is why the healthy ranges differ.
Measure your neck just below the larynx (Adam's apple), keeping the tape level. Measure your waist at the narrowest point, typically just above the navel. For the hip measurement (used for women only), measure around the widest part of the buttocks. Keep the tape snug but not compressing the skin, and measure at the same time of day for consistent tracking.
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