Body Fat Calculator
A circumference-based estimate of body-fat percentage. Useful for trend, not a lab measurement.
Calculate your body-fat percentage
U.S. Navy circumference method. An estimate, not a DEXA scan.
For information only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Only a licensed provider can determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Disclaimer: This is a circumference-based estimate (U.S. Navy method), not a DEXA scan or other clinical body-composition measurement, and accuracy varies by body type. It also can't tell you whether you're eligible for any NiceRx treatment. Only a licensed provider can, after reviewing your health history.
What is body fat percentage?
Body fat percentage estimates how much of your weight is fat versus lean tissue. Unlike BMI, it distinguishes muscle from fat, which is why two people with the same BMI can look and feel very different.
How to read your result
Healthy ranges differ by sex and age: roughly 10–22% for men and 20–32% for women. A falling percentage during weight loss with stable strength usually means you are losing fat rather than muscle.
Limitations
The U.S. Navy circumference method used here has a typical error of ±3–4 percentage points. It is useful for tracking your own trend over time, less reliable for a single absolute reading. DEXA or clinical measurement is more accurate.
Body fat percentage chart for women
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Essential fat | 10% to 13% |
| Athletes | 14% to 20% |
| Fitness | 21% to 24% |
| Average | 25% to 31% |
| Obesity | ≥32% |
Body fat percentage chart for men
| Category | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2% to 5% |
| Athletes | 6% to 13% |
| Fitness | 14% to 17% |
| Acceptable | 18% to 24% |
| Obesity | ≥25% |
Body fat percentage by age group (CDC)
| Age Group | Males Average Body Fat % | Females Average Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall (20 and older) | 28.10% | 39.80% |
| Young Adults (20-39) | 26.10% | 37.80% |
| Older Adults (40-59) | 28.60% | 40.50% |
Body fat percentages and risks for women
| Category | 20 to 29 years | 30 to 39 years | 40 to 49 years | 50 to 59 years | 60 to 69 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Increased Health Risk) | Less than 14% | Less than 14% | Less than 14% | Less than 14% | Less than 14% |
| Excellent/Fit (Healthy) | 16.5% or less | 17.4% or less | 19.8% or less | 22.5% or less | 23.2% or less |
| Good/Normal (Healthy) | Between 16.6% and 19.4% | 17.5% to 20.8% | 19.9% to 23.8% | 22.6% to 27.0% | 23.3% to 27.9% |
| Fair/Average (Healthy) | Between 19.5% and 22.7% | 20.9% to 24.6% | 23.9% to 27.6% | 27.1% to 30.4% | 28.0% to 31.3% |
| Poor (Increased Health Risk) | Between 22.8% and 27.1% | 24.7% to 29.1% | 27.7% to 31.9% | 30.5% to 34.5% | 31.4% to 35.4% |
| High (Increased Health Risk) | Greater than 27.2% | Greater than 29.2% | Greater than 31.3% | Greater than 34.6% | Greater than 35.5% |
Body fat percentages and risks for men
| Category | 20 to 29 years | 30 to 39 years | 40 to 49 years | 50 to 59 years | 60 to 69 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (Increased Health Risk) | Less than 8% | Less than 8% | Less than 8% | Less than 8% | Less than 8% |
| Excellent/Fit (Healthy) | 10.5% or less | 14.5% or less | 17.4% or less | 19.1% or less | 19.7% or less |
| Good/Normal (Healthy) | Between 10.6% and 14.8% | 14.6% to 18.2% | 17.5% to 20.6% | 19.2% to 22.1% | 19.8% to 22.6% |
| Fair/Average (Healthy) | Between 14.9% and 18.6% | 18.3% to 21.3% | 20.7% to 23.4% | 22.2% to 24.6% | 22.7% to 25.2% |
| Poor (Increased Health Risk) | Between 18.7% and 23.1% | 21.4% to 24.9% | 23.5% to 26.6% | 24.7% to 27.8% | 25.3% to 28.4% |
| High (Increased Health Risk) | Equal to or greater than 23.2% | Equal to or greater than 25.0% | Equal to or greater than 26.7% | Equal to or greater than 27.9% | Equal to or greater than 28.5% |
Average body fat percentage by age (CDC)
| Age | Boys/Men | Girls/Women |
|---|---|---|
| 8–11 | 28.00% | 31.90% |
| 12–15 | 25.20% | 32.50% |
| 16–19 | 22.90% | 34.80% |
| 20–39 | 26.10% | 37.80% |
| 40–59 | 28.60% | 40.50% |
| 60–79 | 30.80% | 42.40% |
| 80 and over | 30.70% | 40.40% |
FAQs about body fat percentages
What's a healthy body fat for my age?
According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), 21-24% of body fat percentage comes under the "fitness" category. It is a healthy body fat percentage.
Can I be 'skinny fat'?
No, being skinny fat is not healthy. Although people with "skinny fat" bodies have a normal BMI, they are still at greater risk of developing insulin resistance, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, and stroke.
How often should I measure body fat?
You should measure your body fat every 2-4 weeks or when you notice any changes in your body weight (whether you gain or lose), or when the fitting of your clothing changes (it indicates weight changes).
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