Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body fat percentage using the US Navy method — just a tape measure. Measure your neck and waist (and hips for women) at the levels described and enter them below.
Hoe het werkt
The US Navy method estimates body fat from body circumferences using a logarithmic formula. For men it uses height, neck and waist; for women it adds the hip measurement. Measure the neck just below the larynx, the waist at the navel (men) or the narrowest point (women), and the hips at the widest point — all with the tape snug but not compressing the skin.
It is a quick, equipment-light estimate that correlates reasonably with more precise methods, though individual results can vary by a few percent. Use it to track change over time rather than as a clinical measurement.
Voorbeelden
- A man of 180 cm with a 38 cm neck and 85 cm waist is roughly 15% body fat.
- Women add the hip measurement to the calculation.
- Track the trend over weeks rather than a single reading.
Veelgestelde vragen
- How accurate is the Navy method?
- It is a reasonable estimate — typically within a few percent of methods like DEXA — and is most useful for tracking changes over time with consistent measuring technique.
- How do I measure correctly?
- Measure the neck below the larynx, the waist at the navel for men or the narrowest point for women, and hips at the widest point, keeping the tape level and snug.
- Why do women need a hip measurement?
- The female formula includes hip circumference because body-fat distribution differs, which improves the estimate's accuracy.
- Is a low number always better?
- No. Some fat is essential — very low body fat carries health risks. Healthy ranges differ by sex and age.