US Navy Body Fat Calculator
Understanding the US Navy Body Fat Formula
The US Navy Body Fat Calculator uses a specific algorithm developed by the Naval Health Research Center to estimate your body composition. Unlike Body Mass Index (BMI), which only looks at height and weight, this method accounts for where you carry your girth, providing a more accurate picture of lean mass versus adipose tissue.
Why Calculate Your Body Fat Percentage?
Tracking body fat percentage is often superior to tracking total weight for several reasons:
- Muscle vs. Fat: A muscular person might be classified as "overweight" by BMI standards, but have a very low body fat percentage.
- Health Risks: Excess abdominal fat (visceral fat) is more closely linked to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes than total weight.
- Fitness Goals: Whether you are "bulking" or "cutting," monitoring body fat helps ensure you are losing fat and not precious muscle tissue.
Healthy Body Fat Ranges
| Category | Women (%) | Men (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 10-13% | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Average | 25-31% | 18-24% |
| Obese | 32%+ | 25%+ |
How to Take Accurate Measurements
To get the most accurate result from this calculator, follow these measurement protocols:
Height: Measure without shoes, standing flat against a wall.
Neck: Measure just below the larynx (Adam's apple), sloping slightly downward toward the front.
Waist: For men, measure at the navel. For women, measure at the narrowest point of the natural waistline.
Hips (Women only): Measure at the widest point of the buttocks/hips.
Example Calculation
Consider a male who is 70 inches tall, weighs 185 lbs, with a 15.5-inch neck and a 35-inch waist. Using the Navy formula:
Result: Approximately 17.8% Body Fat (Fitness Category).