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Body Fat Calculator

Estimate body fat percentage using waist, hip and neck measurements. Understand your body composition and track progress toward your health and fitness goals.

Last reviewed: 15 March 2026Source: NHS — Health A-Z
Body Fat Calculator · USHealth & Lifestyle

Body Fat

18.70%

Fat Mass

14.96kg

Lean Mass

65.04kg

Rates & sources

Population-average body composition metrics. Always consult a qualified clinician before making health decisions.

Source: NHS — Health A-Z — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.

When to use this calculator

  • Before setting a new health goal or checking whether a plan is realistic.
  • When you want to compare different assumptions without tracking them manually.
  • When you need a quick baseline before discussing the result with a professional.
  • When you are starting a new fitness or diet programme and want an objective starting-point measurement.
  • When you want to recheck your numbers after several weeks of change to see whether the metrics are moving in the right direction.

A realistic US planning example

Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.

Weight (kg)

80 kg

Height (cm)

178 cm

Neck Circumference (cm)

38

Waist Circumference (cm)

84 cm

After entering these figures, review body fat, fat mass and lean mass together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.

How to read your results

Body Fat

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Fat Mass

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Lean Mass

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources

This calculator estimates body fat percentage using circumference-based measurements, most commonly the US Navy method, which uses measurements of the neck, waist, and hips (for women) alongside height to derive an estimate. The underlying formula was developed and validated by the US Navy as a practical field assessment tool. While it avoids the need for specialist equipment, it is less precise than clinical methods such as DEXA scanning. Circumference measurements are sensitive to measurement technique — small errors in tape placement can shift the result by several percentage points. Treat your result as a useful guide for monitoring trends over time rather than as a clinically precise figure. For accurate body composition assessment, consult a healthcare professional.

Common mistakes

  • !Using optimistic assumptions without testing a more cautious scenario as well.
  • !Comparing outputs from different tools without checking that the inputs match.
  • !Treating the result as a final figure rather than a broad planning indicator.
  • !Entering estimated rather than accurately measured height or weight, which can shift BMI or healthy-weight results meaningfully.
  • !Interpreting a single metric in isolation instead of reading it alongside the other outputs the tool provides.

What to do next

  • Rerun the calculator in six to eight weeks with updated measurements to track progress objectively.
  • Use the related health calculators to build a fuller picture before discussing any changes with a professional.
  • Open one of the linked guides if you want more context on what the metrics mean and how they relate to each other.
  • If a result falls outside the normal range, book a GP appointment to discuss it rather than acting on the figure alone.
  • Note the date alongside your results so you have a clear before-and-after record when you recheck later.

Frequently asked

American Council on Exercise ranges: men - essential 2-5%, athletes 6-13%, fitness 14-17%, acceptable 18-24%, obese 25%+. Women - essential 10-13%, athletes 14-20%, fitness 21-24%, acceptable 25-31%, obese 32%+. Women naturally carry more essential fat due to reproductive and hormonal functions.

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