Understanding Army Body Composition Standards (AR 600-9)
The U.S. Army uses the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) to ensure all soldiers maintain a high level of physical readiness. If a soldier exceeds the weight-for-height screening table limits, they must undergo the "Tape Test" to determine their actual body fat percentage.
Maximum Allowable Body Fat %
Age Group
Male Limit
Female Limit
17-20
20%
30%
21-27
22%
32%
28-39
24%
34%
40+
26%
36%
How to Tape Correctly
Male Neck: Measure just below the larynx (Adam's apple).
Male Abdomen: Measure at the navel (belly button).
Female Neck: Measure just below the larynx.
Female Waist: Measure at the narrowest point of the abdomen.
Female Hips: Measure at the widest part of the buttocks.
function toggleHipInput() {
var gender = document.getElementById("gender").value;
var hipContainer = document.getElementById("hipContainer");
if (gender === "female") {
hipContainer.style.display = "block";
} else {
hipContainer.style.display = "none";
}
}
function calculateArmyStandards() {
var gender = document.getElementById("gender").value;
var ageGroup = document.getElementById("ageGroup").value;
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById("height").value);
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weight").value);
var neck = parseFloat(document.getElementById("neck").value);
var waist = parseFloat(document.getElementById("waist").value);
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById("results");
var resultValue = document.getElementById("resultValue");
var resultStatus = document.getElementById("resultStatus");
var resultTable = document.getElementById("resultTable");
if (!height || !weight || !neck || !waist || (gender === "female" && !document.getElementById("hips").value)) {
alert("Please enter all required measurements.");
return;
}
var bodyFat = 0;
var maxAllowed = 0;
// Set Max Allowed Body Fat based on age and gender
if (gender === "male") {
if (ageGroup === "17-20") maxAllowed = 20;
else if (ageGroup === "21-27") maxAllowed = 22;
else if (ageGroup === "28-39") maxAllowed = 24;
else maxAllowed = 26;
// Male Formula (US Army Tape Test)
// %BF = 86.010 * log10(waist – neck) – 70.041 * log10(height) + 36.76
bodyFat = 86.010 * Math.log10(waist – neck) – 70.041 * Math.log10(height) + 36.76;
} else {
var hips = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hips").value);
if (ageGroup === "17-20") maxAllowed = 30;
else if (ageGroup === "21-27") maxAllowed = 32;
else if (ageGroup === "28-39") maxAllowed = 34;
else maxAllowed = 36;
// Female Formula (US Army Tape Test)
// %BF = 163.205 * log10(waist + hip – neck) – 97.684 * log10(height) – 78.387
bodyFat = 163.205 * Math.log10(waist + hips – neck) – 97.684 * Math.log10(height) – 78.387;
}
bodyFat = Math.round(bodyFat * 10) / 10;
resultsDiv.style.display = "block";
resultValue.innerHTML = bodyFat + "% Body Fat";
if (bodyFat <= maxAllowed) {
resultsDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#e8f5e9";
resultStatus.innerHTML = "PASSED";
resultStatus.style.color = "#2e7d32";
resultTable.innerHTML = "Your body fat is within the maximum limit of " + maxAllowed + "% for your age group.";
} else {
resultsDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ffebee";
resultStatus.innerHTML = "FAILED";
resultStatus.style.color = "#c62828";
resultTable.innerHTML = "You exceed the maximum limit of " + maxAllowed + "% for your age group by " + (Math.round((bodyFat – maxAllowed) * 10) / 10) + "%.";
}
}