Precis

Body Fat

The US Navy method — just a tape measure, no calipers. Uses the height already saved from BMI.

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Measure waist at the navel and neck just below the larynx, tape snug but not compressing skin.
Estimated body fat
0%
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How accurate is the US Navy body fat method?

The Navy method estimates body fat percentage from a handful of tape-measure circumferences (waist, neck, and hip for women) instead of calipers or a DEXA scan. It's not lab-grade accurate — studies generally put it within about 3–4 percentage points of more precise methods — but it's free, repeatable, and good enough to track your own trend over time, which for most people matters more than one precise number.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Navy method more accurate than calipers?

Neither is lab-precise — calipers depend heavily on measurement technique, while the Navy method depends on accurate tape placement. Both are reasonable for tracking your own trend; DEXA or hydrostatic weighing are the gold standards if you need precision.

Where exactly should I measure my waist?

At the navel, with the tape snug but not compressing the skin, standing relaxed rather than sucking in.

Why does the formula ask for hip measurement for women but not men?

The Navy formula uses different measurement sets calibrated separately for male and female body fat distribution patterns, which is why the inputs differ slightly by sex.

Related searches

BMIBody mass index from height and weight. Waist-to-Hip RatioWHO risk bands from a tape measure. Lean Body MassMuscle, bone and organs — everything that isn't fat.