Body fat vs. your branch standard
The green/red boundary is your maximum allowable body fat. The pointer is your estimate.
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Military Body Fat Calculator (Tape Test)
Estimate your body fat with the DoD circumference "tape test" and check it against representative Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force standards for your age and sex.
Estimated body fat
18%
Within standard
Branch maximum (your age)—
Margin—
StatusPass
What is the tape test?
The military tape test is the Department of Defense circumference method for estimating body fat when a service member exceeds the height/weight screening table. It relies on the same U.S. Navy formula used widely elsewhere, combining neck, waist, and (for women) hip measurements with height.
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
Worked example
A 25-year-old male, 70″ tall, 34″ waist, 15.5″ neck estimates about 18% body fat. Against a representative Army limit of 22% for his age, he passes with a 4-point margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the military tape test?
The DoD circumference method that estimates body fat from neck and waist (plus hips for women) and height.
How do I measure?
Relaxed neck below the larynx, waist at the navel (men) or narrowest point (women), hips at the widest point; keep the tape snug and level.
What is the maximum allowed?
It varies by branch, age, and sex; limits rise slightly with age.
Are these the exact current standards?
They are representative. Always confirm your branch's current regulation.
Why do I read high when lean?
Tape estimates depend on measurement accuracy; measure carefully and re-check.