Army Body Fat Calculator
Male: 86.010 × log₁₀(waist − neck) − 70.041 × log₁₀(height) + 36.76
Female: 163.205 × log₁₀(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684 × log₁₀(height) − 78.387
Example (Male):
Age: 25, Weight: 180 lbs, Neck: 15 in, Waist: 36 in, Height: 70 in
Body Fat: 18.3% (Compliant with 22% standard)
Example (Female):
Age: 25, Weight: 150 lbs, Neck: 13 in, Waist: 28 in, Hip: 36 in, Height: 64 in
Body Fat: 22.1% (Compliant with 32% standard)
Understanding Army Body Fat Standards
Body Fat Requirements for U.S. Army Personnel
Maintaining appropriate body fat levels is a key medical fitness requirement for both joining and remaining in the U.S. Army. The Department of Defense periodically updates its body fat regulations. In 2021, Army leaders conducted an extensive study examining the relationship between Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) scores and Army body composition standards. The data revealed a correlation: soldiers with a higher percentage of body fat tended to have lower ACFT scores compared to those with lower body fat. As a result, changes to the Army Body Fat Assessment within the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) were implemented on June 12, 2023. These changes aim to enhance force readiness by ensuring all soldiers maintain the necessary physical preparedness to effectively perform their duties. The guidelines of this directive apply to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve. According to this directive, soldiers achieving a score of 540 or higher on the official ACFT, with a minimum of 80 points in each event, are exempt from the body fat assessment. For those not exempt, the body fat assessment requirements are summarized in the following tables:
Maximum Allowable Percent Body Fat Standards*
| Age | Male | Female |
| 17-20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21-27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28-39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40 and over | 26% | 36% |
How the Army Calculates Body Fat Percentage
According to the Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body Composition Program, body fat is determined using a one-site circumference-based tape method. This method requires measuring the abdominal circumference at the level of the navel and the individual’s body weight. During measurement, the individual should stand upright with their arms relaxed at their sides. The abdominal circumference should be the average of three measurements, rounded to the nearest 0.5 inch. Body weight should be measured and rounded to the nearest pound. Once these measurements are taken, you can input the values into the calculator above to determine your estimated body fat percentage and assess whether you meet the maximum allowable body fat standards.
Supplemental Body Fat Assessments
Soldiers who do not meet the standards using the circumference-based tape method will be flagged. However, they have the option to request a supplemental body fat assessment if the resources for such testing are reasonably accessible. These supplemental assessment methods include:
- Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
- InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer
- The Bod Pod Body Composition Tracking System
Commanders of soldiers who do not request a supplemental body fat assessment or who fail the supplemental assessment will uphold the initial flagging action, and the soldier will be enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).