One of the best methods of estimating the fat content of a person's body was developed by the US Navy and it calculates body fat with reasonable precision. This parameter is determined for all service members of the US Navy since they are required to meet certain percent body fat (%BF) standards as a condition of military service.

 

Please note, that this tool can never replace a professional doctor's assessment. If any health condition bothers you, consult a physician.

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What are the necessary measurements?

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You'll only need a measuring tape. Then, start taking measurements:

1. Height — make sure you stand up straight and barefoot.

2. Neck — the circumference should be measured just underneath the larynx (Adam's apple).

3. Waist — should be measured horizontally, around the narrowest part of the abdomen for women and at the navel level for men.

4. Hips — should be measured at the widest part of the buttocks or hip.

You can input the values in both imperial and metric units. Just type inch or cm into the calculator above. 

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What formula does the US Navy body fat calculator use?

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The equation was developed at the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), San Diego, California.

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For men, it looks like this:

%BF = 495 / (1.0324 − 0.19077 × log10(waist − neck) + 0.15456 × log10(height)) − 450

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And for women:

%BF = 495 / (1.29579 − 0.35004 × log10(waist + hip − neck) + 0.22100 × log10(height)) − 450

Please note that the formulas presented above are for measurements in metric units.

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The US Navy body fat standards

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The limit of body fat percentage for US Navy service members:

• Age 18 to 21 — 22% for males, 33% for females;

• Age 22 to 29 — 23% for males, 34% for females;

• Age 30 to 39 — 24% for males, 35% for females;

• Age over 40 — 26% for males, 36% for females.

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Body fat percentage plays an important role in distinguishing between a healthy and an obese individual, as it has a greater ability to differentiate between lean mass and fat mass compared to BMI.  

You can also explore other free health calculators on our website: BMI, VO2max, Blood Pressure and Walk Test

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Questions and answers. 

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What is the navy body fat percentage of a 6 ft male?

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To calculate the Navy body fat percentage for males, you’d need measurements of his height along with the circumference of his neck and waist. Hence assuming the waist circumference is 40.2 inches (102.1 cm) and neck circumference is 15.2 inches (38.6 cm), the body fat percentage for this 6 ft male would be 26.8%.

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How much body fat is allowed in the US Navy?

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How much body fat is allowed in the US Navy depends on gender and age. For instance, the body fat percentage limit ranges from 22% to 26% for men, depending on the age group. On the other hand, for women, the range is from 33% to 36%.

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How accurate is the US Navy body fat calculator?

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The US Navy body fat calculator is a relatively accurate and straightforward way to determine adult body fat percentage. Studies show that it is more effective in differentiating lean and fat mass than BMI.

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How do I calculate the Navy body fat percentage for women?

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To calculate the Navy body fat percentage for women:

1. Measure the person's height as well as the circumference of the waist, neck, and hips.

2. Apply the US Navy body fat percentage formula to convert the determined measurements into the body fat percentage.

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How can I lower my body fat and improve my health? 

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Consider exploring our blood pressure app BreathNow which includes over 60 guiding videos with calming techniques and easy exercises. BreathNow will help you to lower anxiety, blood pressure,  heart rate, stress and adjust body weight.