Navy Body Fat Calculator

How to Use the Navy Body Fat Calculator

To accurately calculate your body fat percentage, follow these steps:

• Gather Measurements: Use a measuring tape and input the following:
  • Age: Enter your age in years.
  • Sex: Indicate whether you are male or female.
  • Height: Stand barefoot and straight. Measure your height in inches or centimeters.
  • Neck Circumference: Measure just below the larynx (Adam’s apple). Keep the tape level.
  • Waist Circumference::
    • For men: Measure at the navel level.
    • For women: Measure at the narrowest part of the abdomen.
  • Hip Circumference (For women): Measure at the widest part of the buttocks.
• Enter Measurements in the Calculator: Input the values for height, neck, waist, and hips (if applicable).
• View Results: The calculator applies the U.S. Navy’s formula to estimate your body fat percentage.

What formula does the US Navy body fat calculator use?

The equation was developed at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), San Diego, California.
For men, it looks like this:
%BF = 495 / (1.0324 − 0.19077 × log10(waist − neck) + 0.15456 × log10(height)) − 450
And for women:
%BF = 495 / (1.29579 − 0.35004 × log10(waist + hip − neck) + 0.22100 × log10(height)) − 450

What formula does the US Navy body fat calculator use?

The U.S. Navy sets specific body fat standards based on age and sex for its service members:

Age Group	Men (%BF)	Women (%BF)
18 to 21 years	Up to 22%	Up to 33%
22 to 29 years	Up to 23%	Up to 34%
30 to 39 years	Up to 24%	Up to 35%
40+ years	Up to 26%	Up to 36%

Note: Values exceeding these limits indicate potential health risks and might require intervention for better health and fitness.

What formula does the US Navy body fat calculator use?

• Precise Fat Assessment: Unlike BMI, this calculator distinguishes between lean mass and fat mass for a more accurate health evaluation.
• Military Standards: Adheres to the U.S. Navy's guidelines, ensuring a reliable fitness benchmark.
• Health Awareness: Understand your body composition and take informed steps to achieve optimal health.
• Custom Insights: Provides tailored results based on age, sex, and measurements.