Body Fat Calculator

What's Body Fat Percentage All About?

Body fat percentage tells you how much of your weight comes from fat versus everything else - muscle, bones, organs, you name it. It's way more telling than just stepping on a scale because two people can weigh the same but have completely different body compositions.

Where Do You Stand?

Guys:

• Essential Fat: 2-5% (This is bare minimum - your body literally needs this to function)
• Athletes: 6-13% (Think professional sports level)
• Fitness: 14-17% (You're in good shape, probably see some abs)
• Average: 18-24% (Normal, healthy range for most men)
• Obese: 25% and up (Time to make some changes)

Ladies:

• Essential Fat: 10-13% (Women naturally need more fat for hormones and stuff)
• Athletes: 14-20% (Elite athlete territory)
• Fitness: 21-24% (Strong and lean)
• Average: 25-31% (Totally normal and healthy)
• Obese: 32% and higher (Health risks start climbing here)

How We Figure This Out

There are two ways this calculator can estimate your body fat:

Navy Method:

This one's pretty straightforward - just measure your waist and neck (women also measure hips). The military came up with this because they needed something quick and simple that still worked decently well. It gets within about 3-4% of those fancy underwater tests, which isn't bad for something you can do at home.

Skinfold Method:

This involves pinching skin at specific spots and measuring the thickness. Sounds weird, but it actually works pretty well if you know what you're doing. Personal trainers and researchers use this method a lot because it's more precise than basic measurements.

Keep It Real

These numbers aren't gospel truth. Your actual body fat could be different depending on how you measure, when you measure, and honestly just how your body is built. Some people carry fat differently than others.
Age matters too - what's normal at 20 isn't the same as what's normal at 50. And don't get hung up on one measurement. Track changes over time instead of obsessing over a single number.
If you really need to know your exact body fat percentage for medical reasons or serious training, get it done professionally. But for most of us, these estimates work fine for keeping tabs on our progress.

Important Notes

• Results are estimates and may vary from other measurement methods
• Body fat levels vary by age, sex, and fitness level
• Regular tracking is more valuable than single measurements
• Consult healthcare providers for accurate assessments