CalcNest

Body Fat Calculator

Estimate your Body Fat Percentage using the official US Navy circumference method (neck, waist, hip, height).

US Navy Circumference Standard
Body Fat Percentage
15.7%
Category: Fitness
Estimated Fat Mass11.8 kg
Estimated Lean Muscle Mass63.2 kg
Total Weight75 kg
Lean Mass
84.3%
Fat Mass
15.7%
US Navy circumference formula error margin is typically within 1–3% of DEXA scans.

About the Body Fat Calculator

The CalcNest Body Fat Calculator uses the US Navy circumference equations to calculate your body fat percentage and lean muscle mass. Unlike simple BMI, body fat percentage distinguishes between dense muscle tissue and adipose fat.

Mathematical Formula

Men: %BF = 495 / (1.0324 - 0.19077 × log₁₀(waist - neck) + 0.15456 × log₁₀(height)) - 450 Women: %BF = 495 / (1.29579 - 0.35004 × log₁₀(waist + hip - neck) + 0.22100 × log₁₀(height)) - 450

Official United States Navy body circumference method for estimating relative body fat percentage and lean body mass without expensive DXA scans.

Variables & Components

Height Stature in Centimeters: Standing height measured without shoes.
Neck Neck Circumference: Circumference measured just below the larynx (Adam's apple).
Waist Waist Circumference: Measured horizontally at the navel for men, and at the narrowest waistline for women.
Hip Hip Circumference: Measured at the widest point of the buttocks (required for females).

Worked Example: Male, 178cm, 75kg, 38cm Neck, 84cm Waist

Suppose a male athlete measures his circumferences to track lean muscle vs fat tissue.

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Calculate (Waist - Neck): 84 - 38 = 46 cm.
  2. Calculate log₁₀(46) = 1.6628 and log₁₀(178) = 2.2504.
  3. Apply US Navy formula: 495 / (1.0324 - 0.19077 × 1.6628 + 0.15456 × 2.2504) - 450.
  4. Result = 14.8% Body Fat (Fitness Category).
  5. Fat Mass = 75 × 0.148 = 11.1 kg | Lean Muscle Mass = 75 - 11.1 = 63.9 kg.
Final Result: Body Fat: 14.8% | Category: Fitness | Fat Mass: 11.1 kg | Lean Mass: 63.9 kg

How to Use This Calculator

1

Select your biological sex (Male or Female).

2

Enter your standing Height and current Body Weight.

3

Measure and enter your Neck and Waist circumferences (and Hip circumference for females).

4

View your estimated Body Fat Percentage, ACE fitness classification, and lean mass breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

The US Navy circumference method is highly reliable for tracking trends, generally correlating within 1% to 3% of Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and hydrostatic weighing scans when measurements are taken consistently.