About Navy Body Fat Calculator
Measuring Body Fat Percentage usually requires expensive equipment like DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing tanks. However, the US Navy needed a reliable way to screen thousands of sailors cheaply. They developed a tape-measure based method that is surprisingly accurate (within 3-4% of DEXA).
The Science of Shapes
The method relies on the difference between body circumferences.
For Men: It compares the Neck (muscle/structure) to the Waist (fat storage). A thick neck and small waist imply muscle (low body fat). A small neck and large waist imply fat.
For Women: It adds Hips to the equation, accounting for biological fat distribution patterns.
How to Measure
- Neck: Measure just below the larynx (Adam's apple). Tape should be flat but not choking.
- Waist (Men): Measure at the navel level.
- Waist (Women): Measure at the narrowest point.
- Hips (Women): Measure at the widest point of the buttocks.
How to Use
Enter your Height and the tape measurements in inches. The tool outputs your estimated Body Fat %.