Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body fat percentage using various measurement methods. Track changes in body composition and set realistic fitness goals for your journey.
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About Body Fat Calculator
The History of Body Composition Analysis
Body composition analysis has come a long way since the early 1900s when rudimentary displacement methods were first used. The U.S. Navy method, developed in the 1980s by Hodgdon and Beckett, revolutionized field testing by providing a reliable, non-invasive approach using circumference measurements.
Scientific Measurement Methods
U.S. Navy Method Equations:
Men: BF% = 495/(1.0324 - 0.19077×log₁₀(waist-neck) + 0.15456×log₁₀(height)) - 450
Women: BF% = 495/(1.29579 - 0.35004×log₁₀(waist+hip-neck) + 0.22100×log₁₀(height)) - 450
Body Fat Percentage Categories
Men
| Essential Fat | 2-5% |
| Athletic | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 14-17% |
| Average | 18-24% |
| Obese | 25%+ |
Women
| Essential Fat | 10-13% |
| Athletic | 14-20% |
| Fitness | 21-24% |
| Average | 25-31% |
| Obese | 32%+ |
Health and Performance Implications
Athletic Performance
- Power sports: 8-12% optimal for male athletes
- Endurance sports: 10-15% optimal range
- Gymnastics/bodybuilding: 5-8% competition levels
- Female athletes: 12-20% functional range
Health Indicators
- Cardiovascular risk increases above 25% (men) / 32% (women)
- Hormonal function affected below 6% (men) / 12% (women)
- Immune system optimal at moderate levels
Modern Assessment Technologies
Laboratory Methods
- DEXA Scanning: ±1-2% accuracy
- Hydrostatic Weighing: ±2% accuracy
- Air Displacement: ±2.5% accuracy
- MRI/CT Scanning: Precise mapping
Field Methods
- Bioelectrical Impedance: ±3-5% accuracy
- Skinfold Calipers: ±3-4% accuracy
- Circumference Methods: ±4% accuracy
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