The Body Fat Percentage Calculator uses the U.S. Navy fitness formula to calculate an estimation of body fat. Although the water displacement test is the most accurate way to determine body fat percent, however the Navy Body Fat test or YMCA formula is sufficiently accurate within 1-3% for most people.
Body fats include: essential body fat along with storage body fat.
The essential body fat is required in order to maintain life and reproductive organ functions. The percentage of essential body fat in women is greater than that found in men, mainly because of childbearing demands and other hormonal functions.
The percentage of essential fat is 3% to 5% in men, and 8% up to 12% in women.
Storage body fat consists of fat accumulation in the adipose tissue, which is meant to protect the internal organs (chest and abdomen). The minimum recommended total body fat percentage exceeds the essential fat percentage value mentioned above.
Before you use the body fat percentage calculator, take tape measurements of your waist, hip, and neck. Use these measurements in tandem with your gender and height and the calculator will estimate your body fat percent, lean mass, fat mass, and your navy fitness category.
| Body Fat (U.S. Navy method) | 28% |
| Fat Mass | 36 lbs |
| Lean Mass | 94 lbs |
| Body Fat Category | Average |
| Body Fat (BMI method) - Child | 28% |
| Body Fat (BMI method) - Adult | 28% |
| Body Adiposity Index (BAI) | 28% |
| Description | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended amount | 20% - 25% | 8% - 14% |
| Adults in US, average | 22% - 25% | 15% - 19% |
| Obese | 30% and above | 25% and above |
The typical body fat amounts, according to Health Check Systems, The American Council on Exercise has categorized the range of body fat percentages as follows (see wikipedia):
| Description | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 10% - 13% | 2% - 5% |
| Athletes | 14% - 20% | 6% - 13% |
| Fitness | 21% - 24% | 14% - 17% |
| Average | 25% - 31% | 18% - 24% |
| Obese | 32% and above | 25% and above |
20-40 years old: Underfat: under 21 % ; Healthy: 21-33 % ; Overweight: 33-39 % ; Obese: Over 39 %
41-60 years old: Underfat: under 23 % ; Healthy: 23-35 % ; Overweight : 35-40 % Obese: over 40 %
61-79 years old: Underfat: under 24 % ; Healthy: 24-36 % ; Overweight: 36-42 % ; Obese: over 42 %
20-40 years old: Underfat: under 8 % ; Healthy: 8-19 % ; Overweight: 19-25 % ; Obese: over 25 %
41-60 years old: Underfat: under 11 % ; Healthy: 11-22 % ; Overweight: 22-27 % ; Obese: over 27 %
61-79 years old: Underfat: under 13 % ; Healthy: 13-25 % ; Overweight: 25-30 % ; Obese: over 30 %
The most commonly used estimation formula in body fat percentage calculations is the U.S. Navy fitness formula.
The Body Adiposity Index (BAI) is an alternative method of measuring human body fat.
As opposed to calculating body fat using the Navy method or the BMI method, the BAI is calculated without considering the persons body weight. Based on population studies, the BAI is approximately equal to the percentage of body fat for adult men and women of differing ethnicities.
The BAI is a good tool in measuring adiposity mainly because of the advantages over other more complex mechanical or electrical systems. The most important advantage of BAI over BMI is that weight is not needed. Nevertheless it seems that the BAI does not overcome the limitations of BMI.
For women between age 20 and 40, 19% to 26% body fat is generally good to excellent. For women age 40+ to 60+, 23% to 30% is considered good to excellent.
For men between age 20 and 40, 10% to 20% body fat is generally good to excellent. For men age 40+ to 60+, 19% to 23% is considered good to excellent.
Essential fat is the level below which physical and physiological health would be negatively affected. Whether a particular body fat percentage is better for one's health; athletic performance can also be affected. The leanest athletes typically compete at levels of about 6–13% for men or 14–20% for women. Body-builders may compete at ranges even lower than these levels. Certified personal trainers will suggest to male body-builders that they aim for a body fat percentage between 2% and 4% by contest time. However it is unclear that such levels are ever actually attained since (a) the means to measure such levels are, as noted below, lacking in principle, are inaccurate, and (b) 4–6% is generally considered a physiological minimum for human males. (see wikipedia)