Body Fat Calculator – Army Standards
Official Military Body Composition Standard
The US Army Body Fat Calculator is based on the “Tape Test” method outlined in Army Regulation 600-9. It provides an estimate of body fat percentage to determine if an individual meets the Department of Defense (DoD) fitness standards.
Body Fat Calculator
U.S. Navy Method (Circumference-based)
Measurements required for analysis
How the US Army Formula Works
The military uses these equations because they are easier to perform in the field than hydrostatic weighing or DEXA scans. The formulas use logarithms to calculate density based on the circumference of specific body parts.
The Formulas (Metric Units)
Note: For US Standard units, the calculator converts to cm first.
Body Fat For Men:
BFP = 86.010 × log10(abdomen − neck) − 70.041 × log10(height) + 36.76
Body Fat For Women:
BFP = 163.205 × log10(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684 × log10(height) − 78.387
US Army Body Fat Standards
The Army allows for different body fat percentages based on age groups. If a soldier exceeds these limits, they may be entered into the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).
Maximum Allowable Body Fat %
| Age Group | Male Standard | Female Standard |
| 17 – 20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21 – 27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28 – 39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40+ | 26% | 36% |
Instructions for Accurate Measurement
To get an accurate result on familyhealthcalc.com, follow these measurement techniques used by US Army certified tape-measurers:
- Height: Measure without shoes, standing flat against a wall.
- Neck: Measure just below the larynx (Adam’s apple), with the tape slanting slightly downward toward the front.
- Abdomen (Men): Measure horizontally at the level of the navel (belly button) while the arms are at the sides.
- Waist (Women): Measure at the narrowest point of the abdomen (usually above the navel).
- Hips (Women): Measure at the widest point of the buttocks, ensuring the tape is parallel to the floor.
Frequently Asked Question – How to Measure Body Fat
Answer: While it is not as precise as a medical-grade scan, the tape test is generally accurate within 3-5% for the majority of the population. It is designed to prioritize “lean mass” and can sometimes penalize individuals with very thick necks or wide waists even if they are muscular.
Answer: In the US Army, failing the body fat standard usually requires a “flag” on the soldier’s record. However, as of 2023-2024, the Army introduced a policy where soldiers who score a 540 or higher on the ACFT (Army Combat Fitness Test) are exempt from body fat assessment.
Answer: Men and women store fat differently. Men tend to accumulate “visceral fat” around the midsection (Android), while women naturally carry more “essential fat” around the hips and thighs (Gynoid) for biological and reproductive reasons.