A basic way to measure body fat percentage is by using a soft tape measure like the kind youd use for sewing to record measurements of different parts of the body. There are many different methods for measuring body fat but some are more accurate than others. Typically it is around 2 5 in men and 10 13 in women. Is bmi the same as body fat. Another way to calculate the percentage of fat mass in your body is to use bioelectric impedance analysis bia. Navy body fat formula boy fat categorization advice on how to reduce body fat and information on precise methods for measuring the percentage of body fat.
So for example a man who is 42 years old and weighs 185lbs would have 26 body fat if his skin measurement from his thigh was 31mm chest 30mm and abs 24mm. But others feel that body fat percentage is really the way to go. There are also hand held devices and scales which measure body fat but these are often inaccurate. Height neck waist and hip circumference. Navy and requires four measurements. Then input your gender and measurements below to receive a body fat index based on average values.
The bmi numbers are way too general to be really useful says tammy callahan marketing manager of life measurement inc which. Keep in mind the amount of essential body fat percentage in men and women differ from each other. It displays a number of results including the fat loss required to reach ideal body fat percentage. Navy method as well as the bmi method. A mathematical measurement that adjusts your weight for your height. Skinfold measurements have been used to estimate body fat for over 50 years skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat the fat underneath the skin at certain body.
In addition explore many other calculators addressing finance math health and fitness. Hydrostatic weighing and other high tech machines are expensive and almost impossible for a layperson to access. Use a tape measure to determine your waist wrist hip and forearm circumference. Your number will tell you if you fall in the underweight normal overweight or obese categories. Determine your body fat percentage with our body fat calculator. This body fat percentage calculator uses the formula developed by the us.
The healthy body fat percentage range for men is elaborated as 8 19 while the healthy range for women is 21 33. Body fat calculator estimate your body fat percentage and body fat mass. This free body fat calculator estimates body fat percentage based on the us. How much body fat should i have.