Body fat vs. Army standard
The green/amber boundary is your age-group maximum. The pointer marks your estimate.
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Army Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat with the U.S. Army circumference (tape) method and check the result against the age- and sex-based Army maximum standard.
Estimated body fat
18.0%
Within standard
Army maximum (your age)—
Margin—
StatusPass
How it works
The Army circumference method estimates body fat from tape measurements without calipers or scans. Men use neck and waist; women add the hip measurement. The result is compared with a maximum allowable body-fat percentage that rises with age.
The formula (measurements in inches)
Men: %fat = 86.010·log₁₀(waist − neck) − 70.041·log₁₀(height) + 36.76
Women: %fat = 163.205·log₁₀(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684·log₁₀(height) − 78.387
Women: %fat = 163.205·log₁₀(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684·log₁₀(height) − 78.387
Maximum allowable body fat
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40+ | 26% | 36% |
Frequently asked questions
Is this the current Army test?
This is the long-standing circumference formula. The Army has been transitioning to a single abdominal measurement in some settings, but the tape method shown here remains widely used for estimation.
Why does the limit go up with age?
Body fat naturally rises with age, so the standard allows a slightly higher percentage in older age brackets.