Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method.
Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method.
Enter values above and click Calculate — results will appear here with the formula explained.
The U.S. Navy tape method estimates fat percentage from where bodies store it: waist relative to neck for men, adding hips for women, scaled by height. It costs nothing and repeats easily, making it practical for tracking direction even if absolute precision is limited.
Accuracy depends on technique — same anatomical landmarks each time, relaxed muscles, snug-but-not-compressing tape. Expect several points of spread versus DEXA scans; trend changes matter more than the raw number itself.
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The U.S. Navy tape method estimates fat percentage from where bodies store it: waist relative to neck for men, adding hips for women, scaled by height. It costs nothing and repeats easily, making it practical for tracking direction even if absolute precision is limited. Formula: Navy method uses log₁₀ of circumference ratios: men: 86.01·log₁₀(waist−neck) − 70.041·log₁₀(height) + 36.76
Body Fat Calculator: Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method. Formula: Navy method uses log₁₀ of circumference ratios: men: 86. Example: A male at 180 cm with 38 cm neck and 85 cm waist: 86.
Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method. Formula: Navy method uses log₁₀ of circumference ratios: men: 86.01·log₁₀(waist−neck) − 70.041·log₁₀(height) + 36.76
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Enter a value |
| Height (cm) | e.g. 180 |
| Neck circumference (cm) | e.g. 38 |
| Waist circumference (cm) | e.g. 85 |
| Hip circumference (female only) (cm) | e.g. 98 |
All fields use the exact formulas shown below — results include step-by-step breakdowns you can verify by hand.
The U.S. Navy tape method estimates fat percentage from where bodies store it: waist relative to neck for men, adding hips for women, scaled by height. It costs nothing and repeats easily, making it practical for tracking direction even if absolute precision is limited.
Accuracy depends on technique — same anatomical landmarks each time, relaxed muscles, snug-but-not-compressing tape. Expect several points of spread versus DEXA scans; trend changes matter more than the raw number itself.
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A male at 180 cm with 38 cm neck and 85 cm waist: 86.01·log₁₀(47) − 70.041·log₁₀(180) + 36.76 ≈ 17.5% estimated body fat.
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