1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the proportion of fat to total body weight. Unlike BMI, it accounts for muscle mass, providing a more accurate assessment of body composition, especially for muscular individuals.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the US Navy body fat formula:

For women, the formula includes additional measurements:

Where:

• \( \text{waist} \) — Waist circumference at navel (cm)
• \( \text{neck} \) — Neck circumference (cm)
• \( \text{height} \) — Height (cm)
• \( \text{hip} \) — Hip circumference at widest point (women only)

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Body fat percentage provides a more accurate health assessment than BMI alone, especially for athletes and muscular individuals where BMI may overestimate fatness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure circumference with a tape measure while standing relaxed. For waist, measure at navel level after exhaling normally. For neck, measure below the larynx.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use body fat percentage instead of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. Athletes may have high BMI but low body fat percentage.

Q2: What are healthy body fat percentages?
A: For men: 6-24%, women: 16-30%. Athletes typically have lower percentages.

Q3: How accurate is this method?
A: Within 3-5% of professional methods like DEXA scans when measurements are taken properly.

Q4: When should measurements be taken?
A: Morning before eating is ideal, but consistent timing is most important for tracking changes.

Q5: Can I use inches instead of cm?
A: The formula requires cm measurements. Convert inches to cm by multiplying by 2.54.