Body Fat Percentage Calculator for Women and Men
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/07/28 - Updated: 2023/07/14
Publication Type: Conversion / Calculation
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Information regarding calculating body fat for males and females includes body fat calculator and formula. Essential body fat is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions. The percentage of essential body fat for women is greater than that for men, due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions.
Introduction
The calculator below calculates the percentage of fat your body contains. For example: If you weigh 220 pounds and the calculator reads you have 10% fat, then your body consists of approx. 22 pounds of fat and 198 pounds of body mass.
Main Item
A person's total body fat percentage is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass; body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat.
Essential body fat is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions. The percentage of essential body fat for women is greater than that for men, due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions.
The percentage of essential fat is 3 to 5% in men, and 8 to 12% in women (referenced through NASM).
Body fat percentage is a measure of fitness level, since it is the only body measurement which directly calculates a person's relative body composition without regard to height or weight.
What is Essential Fat?
Essential fat is that amount of fat necessary for maintenance of life and reproductive functions. Essential fat is 2% to 5% in men, and 10% to 13% in women. A certain percentage of body fat is essential to human functions such as: insulating internal organs and tissues, regulating body temperature, and as energy storage.
What is Storage Fat?
Storage fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, whose main role is to store energy in the form of fat, part of which protects internal organs in the chest and abdomen.
Our body fat calculator uses the standard U.S. Navy Circumference Measurement, this is where three or four separate body measurements are entered into the body fat percentage calculator in order to estimate the percentage of your body comprised of fat.
Body Fat and BMI
Body fat can also be estimated from your Body mass index or BMI. There are a number of formula that relate body fat to BMI. Note these calculations are only an estimate and there will be variations around the results, as slightly over for obesity - see our Body Mass Index Calculator
| What the body fat calculator numbers mean: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Classification | Females (% fat) | Males (% fat) |
| Essential Fat | 10-12% | 2-4% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Acceptable | 25-31% | 18-25% |
| Obese | 32%+ | 25%+ |
The accuracy of skinfold bodyfat testing depends on the accuracy of the measurements. Measuring calipers are recommended. Your entered measurements should be accurate to within 0.5cm (0.25 inches) and measured as follows:
- a) Height Measurement: Should be measured without shoes.
- b) Neck Measurement: Should be taken below the larynx sloping slightly downward at the front.
- c) Waist Measurement:
- i) Measurements for men should be at navel height
- ii) Measurements for women should be at the smallest point
- d) Hip Measurement: (women only) should be at the largest point.
The essential fat values in the charts above are lower than the recommended minimum body fat percentage levels. As we mentioned above, a small amount of storage fat is always required to be available as fuel for the human body in time of need.
Body Fat Calculator Formula
| Formula For Males: |
|---|
| 1: (Total body weight x 1.082) + 94.42 |
| 2: Waist measurement x 4.15 |
| Lean Body Mass: Factor 1 - Factor 2 |
| Body Fat Weight: Total bodyweight - Lean Body Mass |
| Body Fat Percentage: (Body Fat Weight x 100) / total bodyweight |
| Formula For Females: |
| 1: (Total body weight x 0.732) + 8.987 |
| 2: Wrist measurement (at fullest point) / 3.140 |
| 3: Waist measurement (at naval) x 0.157 |
| 4: Hip measurement (at fullest point) x 0.249 |
| 5: Forearm measurement (at fullest point) x 0.434 |
| Lean Body Mass: Factor 1 + Factor 2 - Factor 3 - Factor 4 + Factor 5 |
| Body Fat Weight: Total bodyweight - Lean Body Mass |
| Body Fat Percentage: (Body Fat Weight x 100) / total bodyweight. |
Note: Calculators and tools supplied by Disabled-World.com do not provide medical advice and do not replace advice of medical professionals. No guarantee is made that the calculations and/or results are accurate.
Printable Body Fat Percentage Chart
Resources That Provide Relevant Related Information
- A Third of Normal Weight People Are Actually Obese
- Are You Overweight, Obese or Normal Weight for Your Height
- Is BMI an Accurate Indicator of Body Fat?
- Under-diagnosis of Obesity when Using Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Average Height to Weight Chart: Babies to Teenagers
- Male and Female Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.