health calculator
Estimate body fat percentage from common measurements.
Track your body composition changes over time rather than relying on weight alone.
Estimated body fat
11.1%
Formula
Body fat % = 495 / density estimate - 450The US Navy method estimates body fat from height, neck, waist, and hip measurements. It is useful for tracking trends, not medical diagnosis.
Step by step
Example
A 70-inch male with a 34-inch waist and 15-inch neck is estimated near 18% body fat using the Navy method.
Related guides
Guide
Learn different methods to measure body fat percentage including calipers, BIA, DEXA, and navy circumference. Understand healthy ranges for men and women.
Guide
Learn exactly how BMI is calculated, what the number means for your health, when the formula is misleading, and how to use it alongside better body composition metrics.
Summary
Body fat %
11.1%
US Navy formula estimate.
Lean mass %
88.9%
Muscle, bone, and water fraction.
Height used
70.0 in
Stature reference.
Sex constant
Male equation
Hormonal scaling.
D3 visualization
The estimated breakdown of your total body weight between fat mass and lean body mass.
D3 visualization
Compare your estimated body fat against typical healthy fitness category averages.
Guide
Body fat percentage is the portion of your total body weight that is composed of fat tissue, compared with lean mass (muscle, bone, water, organs). Understanding your body composition provides a more detailed picture of health and fitness than scale weight alone.
This calculator uses the US Navy Circumference Method, which estimates body fat from height, neck, waist, and (for females) hip measurements.
While not as precise as a DEXA scan or hydrostatic weighing, the US Navy method is a highly consistent and cost-effective tracking tool. For accurate tracking, take measurements at the same time of day and at the exact same anatomical locations.
Essential body fat
The minimal fat needed for nerve, hormone, and general physiological function.
Visceral fat
Fat stored deep around internal abdominal organs, highly related to health risks.
DEXA scan
A dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, considered a gold standard for body composition testing.
Ranges vary by sex and age. Generally, essential fat is 2-5% for men and 10-13% for women. A typical fit range is 14-20% for men and 21-24% for women.
Women naturally store more subcutaneous fat around the pelvis and hips due to biological and hormonal differences, which the Navy method accounts for.