1. Bodyscanly
  2. Body fat from a photo
Photo guide

How to estimate body fat from a photo

Use any full-body photo and add your age, height and weight. The algorithm reads them together and gives you a body fat range.

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Scanning is free. Full results from $4.99.

How to take the photo

  1. Frame

    Any full-body photo works. Get your whole body in, head to feet. On your own, prop your phone up and use the timer.

  2. Light

    Even light and a plain background tighten the range.

  3. Clothes

    Fitted clothes tighten the range.

  4. Side photo

    Optional. Turn 90 degrees to give the algorithm a second angle.

Your result

What you get

Your body fat range, how you rank against other men or women, and each visible region rated on your own photo.

A clear photo gets a tighter range. If yours is hard to read, a note under it says so before you pay, so you can retake it.

Your photos. Only you can see them. Delete any time. Never used to train anything.

Start your scan →

Scanning is free. Full results from $4.99.

By eye

Compare yourself with the level pictures

Look at your photo, or stand at a mirror in even light, and find the two pictures closest to you. Your rough estimate sits between them, and the same number can look different from one body to the next.

Men
Women

A 1986 study of 71 men tested a version of this. Two experts compared photos of each man with sets of reference photos, and the results suggested some people can judge body fat about as accurately as skinfold measurements. The judges were experts and the reference photos were real.

Source: Sterner and Burke, 1986

What to look for

What the eye can read at each level

Start with the stomach, then the waist, the face and the muscle lines.

Men

  • 10%Abs show clearly in most light, veins often show on the forearms
  • 15%Upper abs may show in good light, lower belly stays smooth
  • 20%Flat to slightly soft stomach, little or no ab definition
  • 25%Soft midsection, fat at the waist, sides and lower back
  • 30%Fat clearly visible around the whole waist, most muscle shape hidden
  • 35%Fat across the stomach, chest and back, fuller neck and face

Women

  • 15%Ab lines and muscle separation clearly visible, hard to hold
  • 20%Some ab definition in good light, a defined waist
  • 25%Defined waist, flat but soft stomach
  • 30%Little visible definition, fat across hips, thighs, upper arms and stomach
  • 35%Rounder stomach, fuller face, less definition at the waist
  • 40%Fat noticeable across stomach, hips, thighs and upper arms, waist less defined
Questions

Body fat from a photo, answered

  • Can you estimate body fat from one photo?

    Yes. The scan needs one front photo and your sex, age, height and weight, and asks for a free account before it runs. A side photo is optional and gives the algorithm a second angle.

  • Is a photo estimate a medical measurement?

    No. It is an estimate for seeing where you are and comparing scans over time.

  • What happens to my photos?

    Only you can see them. Delete any time. Never used to train anything. Your photos are stored privately with the scan. The ratings are shown on your front photo, and deleting the scan deletes them all.

  • How much does it cost?

    Scanning is free. Read one result for $4.99, or go Pro for every scan unlocked and a training and nutrition plan built from each scan. See pricing

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Find your body fat number

One photo is enough. No account needed to start.

Start your scan →

Scanning is free. Full results from $4.99.

Your photos. Only you can see them. Delete any time. Never used to train anything.