Measure the same way each time
For men, measure the abdomen at the navel and the neck. For women, measure the narrowest waist, neck and widest hips. Keep the tape level without compressing the skin; measure height barefoot.
Body fat from tape measurements
Body Fat Calculator: U.S. Navy Tape Estimate
Use height and tape measurements to estimate adult body-fat percentage.
No account needed. Free tracking, from the first entry.
The method, in plain language.
Understand the uncertainty
The Navy equations infer body fat from body dimensions. Tape placement, body shape and measurement error affect the result. Repeat measurements consistently and treat small changes cautiously.
Find the right starting point.
One shared calculation engine, with a focus that fits your goal.
A few useful answers
Is this as accurate as a body-composition scan?
No. This is a circumference estimate, not a direct measurement or a diagnosis. It may be less useful during pregnancy or for bodies unlike the populations used to develop the equations.
How can I use the result for calories?
Continue to the Katch-McArdle calculator with your estimate and height, then enter weight, age and usual activity. Errors in body-fat estimates also affect resting-energy and TDEE estimates.