US Navy Body Fat Calculator
Gabby is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 11 years of experience. She is also the founder of Peak Performance Nutrition LLC in Houston, Texas. She coaches both adults and children to their peak health using the power of sustainable lifestyle change.
Read full bio of Gabrielle Kane
Experience: 6 yearsSindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.
Read full bio of Sindhu Koganti
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Experience: 2.5 yearsPayal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science.
Read full bio of Payal Karnik
Meeting specific fitness criteria is a must to enlist in the Navy. Meeting and controlling the body fat percentage is an important aspect of maintaining the appearance and general fitness and health of military personnel (1). The Navy body fat calculator can provide an overview of total body fat percentage, which will help you monitor and measure your body fat. Knowing the values will also help you plan and adjust your fitness routines so that you can control your body fat levels effectively. Keep scrolling to check out the tool and learn more about it.
The Navy fat calculator will help you find out the maximum allowable body fat percentage in the Navy. This is an important criterion to determine whether or not a military personnel or a candidate is overweight. The US Navy does not follow any weight-for-height table for screening. Irrespective of age, the ideal body fat percentage for men is 26%, and for females, it is 36% (2), (3).
The U.S. Navy uses the equation developed by James Hodgdon and Marcie Beckett to determine the body fat percentage. There are two separate equations for men and women (2):
For men,
Density = -0.191 × Log10 (abdomen – neck) + 0.155 × Log10(height) + 1.032 BF%
BF% = 100 × [(4.95/density) – 4.5]
For women,
Density = -0.350 × Log10(abdomen + hip + neck) + 0.221 × Log10(height) + 1.296 BF%
BF% = 100 × [(4.95/density) – 4.5]
Here, you must use all measurements (for waist, hip, height, and neck) in inches. The physical assessment during screening for the US Navy screens one of the most important components of fitness: body composition. Along with the Body Composition Assessment, they also screen maximum weight for height, other than body fat percentage, during the assessment.
The US Navy uses a weight and height chart during the initial screening process. The following chart explains the weight standards against height. Remember that the body fat percentage is measured only for candidates who do not meet the US Navy weight standards for their heights. This table has been created based on the Navy Physical Readiness Program (NPRP) 2016: Guide 4 – The Body Composition Assessment (BCA) (3).
| Height (In Inches) | US Navy Weight Standards (In Pounds) | |
| Men | Women | |
| 60 | 141 | 141 |
| 61 | 145 | 145 |
| 62 | 150 | 149 |
| 63 | 155 | 152 |
| 64 | 160 | 156 |
| 65 | 165 | 160 |
| 66 | 170 | 163 |
| 67 | 175 | 167 |
| 68 | 181 | 170 |
| 69 | 186 | 174 |
| 70 | 199 | 177 |
| 71 | 196 | 181 |
| 72 | 201 | 185 |
| 73 | 206 | 189 |
| 74 | 211 | 194 |
Using the Navy body fat calculator requires a few simple steps. Aside from entering your age and gender, you will also need to measure your neck, waist, and hip circumference and enter those values. Here are a few tips to help you take the measurements properly:
To measure the neck circumference:
- Look straight and relax.
- Measure below the larynx or Adam’s apple.
- Avoid involving shoulder muscles.
Note: It is advisable to get someone’s help to measure neck circumference.
To measure the hip circumference:
- Wear minimal clothing to ensure accuracy.
- Stand in front of a mirror.
- Keep your feet close.
- Measure around the fullest part of the buttocks.
- Hold tape horizontally.
- Measure after exhaling.
To measure the waist circumference:
- Wear minimal clothes to ensure accuracy.
- Stand straight with your feet together.
- Keep your arms at the sides.
- Exhale and take the measurement.
- Measure the smallest waist circumference above the belly button.
- Repeat twice, then find the average.
Apart from these specific tips, there are some general guidelines you should be aware of. Scroll down to learn more!
User Guidance
- Use a soft, flexible measuring tape to get a snug and accurate fit around each body area.
- Take your measurements at the same time each day, ideally in the morning before eating.
- Stand relaxed without tensing your muscles to avoid affecting the accuracy.
- Measure each area twice and take the average if there is a difference between the two.
- Place the tape snug around each body part without twisting or pulling it too tight.
- Stick to the same measuring points each time, like the widest part of the waist or hips.
- Don’t hold your breath while measuring, as this can throw off your measurements.
- Update your measurements each time to properly track your progress.
The Navy body fat calculator helps you gauge your body fat composition and understand where you stand. You have to take proper measurements and input accurate data to get precise results. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t rely only on this tool to track your body fat and overall health. You must consult a healthcare professional and follow a proper diet and exercise routine to stay fit. Your journey to a healthier you starts with these simple but significant measurements. Stay active, stay healthy, and use tools like this wisely along your path to well-being!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Navy body fat calculator accurate?
The Navy body fat calculator provides an estimate of your body fat percentage, but it may not be entirely precise. It may also not give accurate results for those with a muscular build. Methods like water displacement testing are considered more reliable and provide more accurate results.
How often should I use the Navy Body Fat Calculator?
You can use the Navy Body Fat Calculator as often as needed to track progress, but weekly or monthly check-ins are typically enough. Regular weekly updates give you a better picture of how your body is changing without focusing too much on day-to-day fluctuations.
Can you have zero percent body fat?
No. While people may have extremely low body fat percentages, having zero percent body fat is not achievable or sustainable for a living human body. Essential fats are required for maintaining vital bodily functions, and even the leanest individual may have a small percentage of body fat.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Body Composition In The Military Services: Standards And Methods
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235939/ - Body Composition and Physical Performance: Applications for the Military Services
https://www.mhek.hu/images/media/5fdb3c400147e679821551.pdf - GUIDE 4 BODY COMPOSITION ASSESSMENT (BCA)
https://www.netc.navy.mil/Portals/46/NSTC/NROTC/docs/Guide%204-Body%20Composition%20Assessment%20(BCA)%20(MAR%202021).pdf
Read full bio of Gabrielle Kane
Read full bio of Sindhu Koganti
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Read full bio of Payal Karnik
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.