Body Fat Percentage Calculator: US Navy Method, No Equipment Needed

How accurate is the US Navy body fat method?

It is generally accurate within about 3 to 4 percent of a DEXA scan, the clinical gold standard, for most people in the 15 to 30 percent body fat range. It becomes less reliable at the extremes: very lean athletes may be overestimated, and people with obesity may be underestimated.

Why does the formula ask for different measurements for men and women?

The formula was developed separately for each sex based on where body fat and lean mass tend to accumulate differently, using waist and neck measurements for men, and waist, hip, and neck measurements for women.

How do I measure my waist, neck, and hip correctly?

Consistent placement matters for accuracy. Measure your neck just below the larynx, your waist at the navel or narrowest point, and, for women, your hips at the widest point. Keep the tape snug but not compressing the skin, and measure at the same time of day if tracking changes over time.

How is this different from BMI?

BMI only relates weight to height and cannot tell fat from muscle. This calculator estimates actual body fat percentage from circumference measurements, which is a more direct, though still estimated, measure of body composition than BMI.