Body Fat Percentage Calculator

Body fat calculator

The Body Fat Percentage Calculator estimates your body fat percentage. It uses height, waist, and neck measurements to determine your circumference value. Hip measurements are also included in calculations for women. Learn how to calculate body fat percentage with various methods. 

Find infographics for healthy body fat ranges for men and women further down!

How to Calculate Body Fat Percentage

There are several ways to calculate body fat percentage. Some methods rely on using tools to measure parts of the body. Other methods calculate body fat percentage through their method. Keep reading to find out how to measure correctly to input values into the above body fat percentage calculator.

Using a Tape Measure to Help Calculate Body Fat Percentage

Get a soft tape measure, such as one used for sewing. Men should measure the widest or largest part of the neck and waist. Women should follow the same measurements but also measure the hips. This is because womens’ bodies store body fat in different places than men’s.

The tape measure should lay against the skin. It should not feel tight as this will give an inaccurate measurement. Take the measurements a few times and average the results before calculating in the body fat percentage calculator. 

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Using Body Fat Calipers to Calculate Body Fat Percentage

Body fat calipers are a unique tool that can be purchased cheaply. They are more accurate than the tape measure method. Men should measure their chest, abs, and thigh. Women should measure triceps, suprailiac crest (right above the bony part of the top of the hip bone), and thigh. Perform measurements on only one side of the body to increase accuracy. It can be helpful to have a friend or fitness professional help take the measurements.

Follow the instructions that came with the calipers to calculate body fat percentage. 

Hydrostatic Weighing

This method involves going to a specialized center with high-tech equipment (a chair that dunks underwater). This method is basically as accurate as body fat calipers but much more impractical.

Body Fat Scales

Body fat scales calculate body fat percentage by sending an electrical current through the body and measuring impedance. These scales are accurate for most people’s purposes. However, hydration levels can make it difficult to obtain consistent results.

3D Body Scan

This method is not as precise as humble body fat calipers; however, it does use lazers and costs a lot more money. Calculate body fat percentage with this method if accuracy and money are not necessary, but the latest fad is.

DEXA Scan

Long-touted as the most accurate way to measure body fat, this method is also not as accurate as body fat calipers. However, it does use x-rays and requires exceptional equipment and licensing to operate. It costs significantly more than body fat calipers as well. There are better ways to spend money to get better fitness results: like signing up for Premium Membership in adidas Running or Training.

BODY FAT PERCENTAGE RANGES & RATING FOR MEN

Table: Body Fat Percentage Ranges & Rating for Men (low, healthy, overweight, obese)

BODY FAT PERCENTAGE RANGES & RATING FOR WOMEN

Table: Body Fat Percentage Ranges & Rating for Women (low, healthy, overweight, obese)

All About Body Fat

Body fat is one way the human body stores energy from food. Body fat provides critical insulation for regulating body temperature and protecting vital organs and bones from harm. Many people think that achieving a very low body fat is ideal. The body needs some body fat to survive. Minimal body fat can severely impact vital biological functions. Even professional bodybuilders only go below 5% body fat for competition because it is so hard.

Why Are The Ranges Different For Men And Women?

Women have an average of 5% more body fat than men. The body needs fat to keep the hormone level balanced. Body fat (within the healthy range) is crucial for supporting reproductive organs and allowing women to have a regular and healthy menstrual cycle — a fertility indicator.

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Body Fat Percentage vs. BMI

BMI, or Body Mass Index, describes categories of weight and may not be very relevant for athletes. Check out this page to learn more about BMI, its pros and cons, and calculate BMI. Body fat percentage and BMI do not correlate very well with one another. 

Body fat percentage is based on one’s unique physiology instead of a population average like BMI. Calculating body fat percentage and composition is likely more actionable for individuals. For example, someone who is very muscular may have a high BMI and be healthy. Whereas someone with too high or too low body fat percentage knows they either need to gain body fat or reduce it.

Calculate body fat

6 Risks of Too Low Body Fat Percentage

It can be hazardous to aim for unrealistic body fat percentages. Here are some of the risks associated with a too low body fat percentage:

  1. Abnormal cardiovascular function: Dangerously low heart rates can lead to fainting. This is the body’s response to try and conserve what little energy it has.
  2. No energy for working out: The body needs energy to fuel training. If the body is busy just trying to survive, it cannot afford to metabolize energy from fat storage since this metabolic process is more energy-intensive. 
  3. Difficulty recovering from workouts: Athletes with extremely low body fat percentages probably know that the body builds muscle when it rests after a workout. However, low body fat percentages inhibit the body’s ability to repair itself during rest. This not only leads to poor workout performance but also prevents getting fitter.
  4. Testosterone drops: low testosterone impacts bone density, hair production, libido, ability to achieve an erection, breast tenderness, fatigue, and many other drawbacks.
  5. Low sperm count: Men with low body fat percentages that lead to low testosterone may have decreased sperm count.
  6. Breakouts and bad skin: Healthy fats are great for skin health. Low body fat percentage means skin suffers.

How to Decrease Body Fat

Decreasing body fat is best accomplished by cleaning up a poor diet and routinely exercising. Check out these other blog articles to learn how to shed body fat safely:

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