The U.S. Navy tape-measurement method — validated to within ±3-4% of a DEXA scan.
Measured just below the larynx (Adam's apple).
Measured at the navel.
| Category | Men |
|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 0% – 5% |
| Athletes | 5.1% – 13% |
| Fitness | 13.1% – 17% |
| Acceptable | 17.1% – 24% |
| Obese | 24%+ |
This is a general estimate based on standard published formulas, not a medical assessment — it doesn’t account for your individual health history. Results are informational only and aren’t a substitute for advice from a doctor or qualified professional. Read the full disclaimer.
This is the U.S. Navy circumference method developed by Hodgdon & Beckett (1984), still one of the most-cited tape-measurement formulas for body fat estimation.
Research generally puts it within about ±3-4% of a DEXA scan or hydrostatic weighing — not clinical-grade precision, but reliable enough to track real changes over time, especially if you measure consistently.
Men and women store fat differently on average, so the Hodgdon & Beckett research behind this method derived separate formulas: men use waist and neck, women additionally use hip measurement, since hip circumference is a more meaningful indicator of fat distribution for women.
Neck: just below the larynx (Adam's apple), tape sloping slightly downward toward the front. Waist: for men, at the navel; for women, at the narrowest point of the torso. Hip (women): at the widest point around the hips/buttocks.
Yes, completely free, with no account and no limit on how often you check it.
