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Army Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat with the Army tape test and check the AR 600-9 standard.
Body fat
—
U.S. Army tape method.
| Army maximum | — |
|---|---|
| Result | — |
| Waist | — |
| Neck | — |
Show our math
Enter your figures above to see the step-by-step working.
Estimate — not an official screeningEverything computed client-side — nothing leaves this page
How the Army Body Fat Calculator Works
The Army estimates body fat with a tape test instead of calipers or a scan. For men it uses the difference between the waist (at the navel) and neck circumference plus height; for women it adds the hip measurement. Those circumferences go into the standard equation, and the result is your estimated body-fat percentage. This is the same circumference method the Department of Defense uses across the services.
The Army then compares that number to the maximum allowed for your age and sex under AR 600-9. Men are allowed 20–26% depending on age; women 30–36%. This calculator shows your estimate and whether it is within the standard. Measure snugly but without compressing the skin, and take each measurement two or three times for a good average.
male %BF = 86.010·log₁₀(waist − neck) − 70.041·log₁₀(height) + 36.76
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Army measure body fat?
With a tape test: waist and neck for men, plus hips for women, combined with height in the standard circumference equation. No calipers or scans are used.
What is the maximum Army body fat percentage?
Under AR 600-9 it depends on age and sex — men are allowed 20% (17–20), 22% (21–27), 24% (28–39) and 26% (40+); women 30/32/34/36% across the same brackets.
Is the Army tape test accurate?
It is an estimate, typically within a few points of a lab measurement. It can over- or under-read for very muscular or very lean builds, but it is quick, cheap and consistent.
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