Army Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body fat with the US Army's 2023 one-site abdominal tape formula or the older neck and waist method, and see how it compares with the Army's maximum body fat standard for your age and sex. Unofficial and for information only.
5 ft 10 in = 70 in
Horizontal, at navel level, end of a normal breath out
Horizontal, at navel level, end of a normal breath out
Just below the larynx (Adam's apple)
Just below the larynx (Adam's apple)
How to use the Army Body Fat Calculator
- Pick the method: the current 2023 one-site tape, or the legacy neck and waist method.
- Choose sex and units, then enter your age and body weight.
- Enter the tape measurements: abdomen at the navel (plus height, neck, waist and hips for the legacy method).
- Read your estimate and the Army standard for your age group.
- Use the table to see how body fat changes with abdomen size, or copy the results.
Army body fat formulas
| Method | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 one-site tape | −26.97 − 0.12 × weight (lb) + 1.99 × abdomen (in) | −9.15 − 0.015 × weight (lb) + 1.27 × abdomen (in) |
| Legacy circumference | 86.010 × log10(abdomen − neck) − 70.041 × log10(height) + 36.76 | 163.205 × log10(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684 × log10(height) − 78.387 |
All measurements are in inches and pounds. Metric values are converted first (1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 lb = 0.45359 kg). Example: a man weighing 180 lb with a 35 in abdomen gets −26.97 − 21.6 + 69.65 = 21.1% body fat with the one-site formula.
Maximum body fat standards by age
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40 and older | 26% | 36% |
A result at or below the limit for your age group meets the standard. This page is an unofficial estimate for planning and self-checks; your unit's official assessment is the one that counts.
Tips for a consistent measurement
- Measure in the morning before eating, over bare skin or thin clothing.
- Keep the tape level all the way around; a tape that dips at the back reads larger.
- Do not suck in your stomach. Read at the end of a normal exhale.
- Take three readings and average them. Small changes in the abdomen move the result quickly: each inch adds about 2 percentage points for men and 1.3 for women.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Army one-site tape test formula?
Since June 2023 the Army estimates body fat from body weight and one abdominal measurement at the navel. Men: %BF = −26.97 − (0.12 × weight in lb) + (1.99 × abdomen in inches). Women: %BF = −9.15 − (0.015 × weight in lb) + (1.27 × abdomen in inches).
What are the Army body fat standards?
The maximum allowable body fat is 20% for men aged 17–20, 22% for 21–27, 24% for 28–39 and 26% for 40 and older. For women the limits are 30%, 32%, 34% and 36% for the same age groups.
Who has to take the tape test?
Soldiers who exceed the screening weight for their height in the Army height and weight table are taped. Under the 2023 directive, soldiers who score at least 540 on the Army Combat Fitness Test with at least 80 points in each event are exempt from the body fat assessment.
How was body fat measured before 2023?
The older method used circumferences and height: neck and abdomen for men, and neck, waist and hips for women, entered into logarithmic formulas. This calculator includes that method so you can compare results.
How do I measure my abdomen correctly?
Stand relaxed, place the tape horizontally around the abdomen at the level of the navel, keep it snug without compressing the skin, and read it at the end of a normal breath out. Take the measurement several times and use the average.
Is this calculator official?
No. It applies the published formulas for information only. Official results come from trained personnel using the Army's procedures and forms, which include their own rounding rules and may also use other body composition methods such as DEXA or InBody scans.
How accurate is a tape test?
Circumference formulas are estimates. They can differ from lab methods such as DEXA by several percentage points for an individual, especially for very muscular people, so treat the number as a guide rather than an exact value.