The Body Fat Calculator provides an estimation of your overall body fat using precise measurements. For optimal accuracy, ensure measurements are taken to the nearest 1/4 inch (0.5 cm). This calculation follows the U.S. Navy approach, with additional incorporation of body fat percentage using the BMI method.
Body Fat Calculator
The American Council on Exercise Body Fat Categorization
| Description | Women | Men |
| Essential fat | 10-13% | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Average | 25-31% | 18-24% |
| Obese | 32+% | 25+% |
Jackson & Pollock Ideal Body Fat Percentages
| Age | Women | Men |
| 20 | 17.7% | 8.5% |
| 25 | 18.4% | 10.5% |
| 30 | 19.3% | 12.7% |
| 35 | 21.5% | 13.7% |
| 40 | 22.2% | 15.3% |
| 45 | 22.9% | 16.4% |
| 50 | 25.2% | 18.9% |
| 55 | 26.3% | 20.9% |
Body fat, scientifically termed “adipose tissue,” serves vital functions such as energy storage and hormone secretion. It comprises essential and storage fat, essential for life and reproductive functions. Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage, typically 8-19% for men and 21-33% for women, is crucial, as both excess and insufficient body fat pose health risks.
Excess body fat leads to overweight and obesity if unchecked. However, being overweight doesn’t always imply excess body fat; factors like muscle mass influence weight. Genetic and behavioral factors, such as sedentary lifestyle and overeating, contribute to fat accumulation, particularly in the abdominal region. Strategies like diet and exercise help manage body fat, recognizing differences between genders and changes over time, influenced by factors like aging and hormonal shifts.