What is a healthy body fat percentage?

Healthy ranges: Men 10–20%, Women 18–28%. Athletes typically range 6–13% (men) and 14–20% (women). Essential fat is ~3–5% for men and 10–13% for women.

How accurate is the Navy body fat method?

The US Navy method has an error margin of ±3–4% compared to DEXA scanning. It is more accurate than BMI for assessing body composition.

Body Fat Calculator – US Navy Method

Body Fat Calculator

Estimate your body fat percentage using the US Navy method. Requires waist, neck, and hip measurements.

Units

Metric (cm/kg)

Imperial (in/lbs)

Sex

Male

Female

Height (cm)

Weight (kg)

Waist (cm) — at navel

Neck (cm)

Body Fat

10.1%

Athletes

Fat Mass

8.1

Lean Mass

71.9

Body fat categories (male)

Essential fat

2–5%

Athletes

6–13%

Fitness

14–17%

Average

18–24%

Obese

25–35+%

The US Navy method uses circumference measurements to estimate body fat. It typically has a margin of error of ±3–4%. For clinical accuracy, use DEXA scanning.

Body Fat Calculator (Navy Method)

The US Navy body fat method estimates body fat percentage from height and circumference measurements. It was developed by Hodgdon and Beckett at the Naval Health Research Center.

Measurement tips

Waist: Measure horizontally at the navel. Do not suck in your stomach.
Neck: Measure just below the larynx (Adam's apple), sloping slightly downward.
Hips (women only): Measure at the widest point around the buttocks.

Formula

Men: 495 / (1.0324 − 0.19077 × log₁₀(waist − neck) + 0.15456 × log₁₀(height)) − 450
Women: 495 / (1.29579 − 0.35004 × log₁₀(waist + hip − neck) + 0.22100 × log₁₀(height)) − 450