Army Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body-fat percentage with the US Army tape-test method and check it against the Army's maximum allowable standard for your age and gender. It uses the same circumference equations as the Navy method — based on height, neck and waist (plus hip for women) — then compares the result to the Army body-fat limits. Enter your measurements in centimetres to see your estimated body fat and whether it is within standard.
- Standards are illustrative; refer to current military regulations for official figures.
Formula
Same circumference equations as the Navy method, compared to Army maximum body-fat tables by age and gender.
- Body fat is estimated from circumference measurements using the same log-based equations as the US Navy method: men use waist and neck, women add the hip.
- The estimate is then compared with the US Army maximum body-fat percentage, which rises with age and differs by gender.
- Measure in centimetres at the prescribed sites, keep the tape snug but not compressing the skin, and take the average of repeated readings for accuracy.
- This is a screening estimate only. Official Army determinations use specified procedures and current regulation tables, which can change.
Example: 25-year-old man, waist 85, neck 38, height 175
Inputs
- Gender: male
- Age: 25 years
- Height: 175 cm
- Neck: 38 cm
- Waist: 85 cm
- Hip (women): 95 cm
For a 25-year-old man with waist 85 cm, neck 38 cm and height 175 cm, the tape-test estimate is roughly 18% body fat, which is within the Army maximum of 22% for that age group.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Army tape test work?
It estimates body fat from body circumferences rather than calipers: men measure waist and neck, women also measure the hip, all combined with height in a standard formula.
What measurements do I need?
Height, neck and waist for men; women add the hip measurement. Enter everything in centimetres.
What is the maximum body fat allowed?
It depends on age and gender. The calculator shows the Army maximum for your age group and tells you whether your estimate is within or over that limit.
Why must the waist measurement exceed the neck?
The formula takes the logarithm of (waist − neck), so the waist must be larger than the neck for a valid result. If not, the inputs are likely mis-measured.
Is this the official Army result?
No. It is an estimate for personal screening. Official assessments follow specific measurement protocols and the current regulation tables, which may differ from these illustrative values.
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