What Is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage represents the proportion of your total body weight that comes from fat tissue compared to lean mass such as muscles, bones and organs.
Why Body Fat Matters
Body fat percentage often provides a more complete picture of body composition than body weight alone.
How This Calculator Works
This calculator uses the U.S. Navy body fat estimation method, which relies on body measurements rather than weight alone.
Body Fat vs BMI
BMI estimates weight relative to height, while body fat percentage attempts to estimate actual body composition.
Understanding Body Fat Ranges
Healthy body fat ranges vary by age and gender. Athletes typically have lower body fat percentages than the general population.
Practical Example
A person with moderate waist measurements and healthy body composition may fall within a body fat range of approximately 15% to 25%, depending on age and gender.
Limitations of Body Fat Formulas
Body fat formulas provide estimates and may differ from laboratory measurements such as DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing.
Using This Body Fat Calculator
Enter your body measurements to estimate body fat percentage and better understand your body composition.