Army Body Fat Calculator

Estimate body fat percentage using the circumference (tape measurement) method used in military body composition assessments.

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Works on all devices

Enter your height, neck, and waist (and hip, if female) circumference to estimate body fat percentage using the tape-measurement method.

Sex

Male

Female

Height *

Neck circumference *

Waist circumference *

Your result

16.90%

Estimated body fat

AI explanation

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

Worked example

Male, 175cm, neck 37cm, waist 82cm

Worked example: Male, 175cm, neck 37cm, waist 82cm
Field	Value
Sex	male
Height	175
Neck circumference	37
Waist circumference	82
Hip circumference	100
Estimated body fat	15.4

Assumptions

Uses the same circumference-based tape-measurement formula as the U.S. Navy method (Hodgdon & Beckett, 1984) — the standard basis for most military body-composition assessments.
Actual military standards may apply additional rules or age/sex-specific pass/fail thresholds beyond the raw body fat estimate itself.
Informational only — not an official fitness-test result.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official method used for military fitness tests?

It uses the same underlying circumference-based formula that most military body-composition standards are built on, but official assessments may apply their own specific measurement protocols and pass/fail thresholds on top of the raw estimate.

How accurate is the tape-measurement method?

It's a reasonable field estimate, generally within a few percentage points of more precise methods, but accuracy depends heavily on correct, consistent measurement technique.

Where should I measure waist and neck?

Measure your neck just below the larynx (Adam's apple), and your waist at the level of your navel, with the tape snug but not compressing the skin.

Related calculators

Sources

Prediction of Percent Body Fat for U.S. Navy Men and Women from Body Circumferences and Height — Naval Health Research Center. Effective 01-08-1984, reviewed 13-09-2026.

This calculator provides a general estimate only and does not represent an official military fitness assessment. Consult your unit's official body-composition testing procedure for compliance purposes.

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