Body Fat Percentage Calculator: Free 2026 Guide

Use our free body fat percentage calculator for 2026. Learn the Navy method formula, healthy ranges by age, and how to lower your body fat effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy body fat percentage?
A healthy body fat percentage for women is 21–33% (ages 20–59) and for men 8–22% (ages 20–59), according to the Gallagher et al. reference study. Athletes typically sit 5–10 percentage points below the general healthy range. These values shift slightly upward with age.
How do I calculate my body fat percentage at home?
The most practical at-home method is the U.S. Navy tape measure method. For men, measure neck and abdomen circumferences; for women, measure neck, waist, and hips. Plug those measurements into the Navy formula (or an online calculator) along with your height to get an estimated body fat percentage accurate to within ±3–4 percentage points.
What is the most accurate way to measure body fat?
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) is considered the gold standard for measuring body fat in clinical settings, with an error margin of ±1–2%. Underwater hydrostatic weighing is comparably accurate. Both require specialist equipment, making the Navy method or a quality bioelectrical impedance scale the most practical alternatives at home.
Is body fat percentage better than BMI?
Body fat percentage is more informative than BMI for most people. BMI cannot distinguish between fat mass and lean mass, which means a muscular athlete can be classified as "overweight" while someone with a normal BMI can carry excess fat. Body fat percentage directly measures fat tissue as a proportion of total body weight.
What body fat percentage is considered obese?
Obesity is generally defined as body fat above 25% in men and above 32% in women, based on the American Council on Exercise classification and thresholds from the Gallagher et al. study linking body fat percentage to WHO BMI obesity categories.
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