US Navy Body Fat Formula: For men, all measurements in inches: %Fat = 86.010*LOG(abdomen - neck) - 70.041*LOG(height) + 36.76
For men, all measurements in centimeters: %Fat = 86.010*LOG(abdomen - neck) - 70.041*LOG(height) + 30.30
For women, all measurements in inches: %Fat = 163.205*LOG(abdomen + hip - neck) - 97.684*LOG(height) - 78.387
For women, all measurements in centimeters: %Fat = 163.205*LOG(abdomen + hip - neck) - 97.684*LOG(height) - 104.912
US Navy Body Fat Definition There are numerous methods for calculating body fat, each with variable accuracy. Each method provides you with the estimated percentage of your body weight that is adipose tissue. The important thing to remember when selecting a method is that, to accurately gauge changes over time, you need to use the same method every time. To gauge results, you should measure your body fat at the start of any fitness or nutrition program and continue to do so weekly or biweekly thereafter. Before choosing a method, consider whether or not the method will be convenient for you at the intervals that you would like to monitor your composition.
What Kinds of Methods are There and Why Should I Use the US Navy Method? Skinfold measurements are the most common method that personal trainers use to estimate body fat in local gyms. However, this requires calipers and a trained person who knows how to use the calipers for maximal efficacy. The US Navy has developed a method that is much more convenient and requires only a tape measure and a scale. If you can weigh yourself and measure your waist, neck, and hip, you can consistently check your body fat using theNavy Body Fat Calculator. It does not require calipers to measure skinfolds and, according to numerous sources, is arguably as accurate, if not more so, than the skinfold method. While DEXA scans are considered the most accurate, they are often too expensive to justify using weekly or biweekly.
Why Should I Measure Body Fat? The body is comprised of primarily water distributed throughout the body – inside fat cells, in blood, in tissues and organs, etc. The body requires a certain amount of fat to function well. Not all fat is bad, but too much can impair your body’s efficiency and disturb vital processes. Body fat is one important way that overall health can be gauged. Additionally, for those focused on improving fitness and body composition, bodyfat measurements over time serve as a significant measure of the success of your fitness and nutrition program. If you are interested in fine-tuning your caloric needs for elite fitness, you must know your body composition, as your lean body mass is used to determine caloric requirements and optimal macronutrient breakdowns. The US Navy Body Fat Calculator can help you estimate your body fat and you can easily monitor your progress.
What Do I Need to Know to Use the US Navy Body Fat Calculator? To use the Navy Method, you will need the following information for yourself or the person for who you are calculating body fat:
Gender
Height (in/cm)
Weight (in/cm)
Waist Measurement (in/cm)
Neck Measurement (in/cm)
Hip (for females only)
After entering the information above, click on “Calculate” and you will receive a the following results:
Body Fat: ___%
Fat Mass: __.__lb/kg
Lean Mass:__.__lb
Body Fat Category:(Low/Acceptable/High)
Measurement Tips
Remember that a waist measurement should be taken around the navel
The tape measure should be neither too snug nor too loose. It may help to pretend that the tape is an added layer of skin.
Most importantly, use the same pressure and method each time.
Using the US Navy Body Fat Caluclator is a snap. Congratulations on taking this step to further your health, fitness and nutritional goals. Check out some of our other similar calculators: Skinfold Body Fat Calculator, Durnin/Womersley Skinfold Body Fat Calculator
How to Calculate US Navy Body Fat Let's be honest - sometimes the best us navy body fat calculator is the one that is easy to use and doesn't require us to even know what the us navy body fat formula is in the first place! But if you want to know the exact formula for calculating us navy body fat then please check out the "Formula" box above.