1. Bodyscanly
  2. Body fat calculator
Tape measure method

Body fat calculator

Estimate your body fat percentage with a tape measure. It uses the US Navy formula, which needs your height, neck and waist, plus your hips if you are a woman.

I am a
Units
How to measure

Four measurements, one tape

Keep the tape flat against the skin without pressing in, and measure each one twice. Use the average.

  1. Height

    Stand straight against a wall, no shoes, heels together.

  2. Neck

    Just below the Adam's apple, with the tape sloping a little down towards the front.

  3. Waist

    Men: around the belly button. Women: at the narrowest point. Breathe out normally and do not pull the stomach in.

  4. Hips

    Women only: around the widest part of the bottom, with the feet together.

Source: Hodgdon and Beckett, 1984 (men), Hodgdon and Beckett, 1984 (women)

Questions

The tape measure method, answered

  • How accurate is a tape measure body fat calculator?

    In the Navy's own check on 100 men, the men's formula had a typical error of about 2.7 percentage points against underwater weighing. How the tape is held matters too: pulled tight or left loose, it changes the answer.

  • Which formula does this calculator use?

    The US Navy circumference equations by Hodgdon and Beckett (1984). Men enter height, neck and waist. Women enter height, neck, waist and hips.

  • What do the categories mean?

    The result is placed on the American Council on Exercise categories, from essential fat to obese. The body fat charts show those ranges for men and for women, and the healthy range for each age group.

  • Is what I type saved anywhere?

    No. The calculation runs in your browser and the measurements are not sent anywhere.

Body fat chart for menBody fat chart for women

Find your own number

One photo is enough. No account needed to start.

Start your scan →

Scanning is free. Full results from $4.99.

  • Only you can see your photos
  • Delete any time