Army Body Fat Calculator

Reading screening and tape results

The first part of the equation compares the weight entered in Section 03 to the Army’s height/weight table. If the specified weight does not exceed the max from the Army’s height/weight table then you’re screened without taping. Go over it and section 04’s neck, waist, and (for females) hip measurements are what matter for pass or fail in this calculator.

Example: male 25, 5′10″, 180 lb, neck 15.5, waist 32 (default)

The calculator defaults to values that result in Exempt. 180 lb sits under the 185 lb table max, so taping is not required. Fill the tape fields anyway and you will see about 12% body fat (rounded down) against the 22% male cap for ages 21–27.

Half-inch tape misses

Small. Easy to shrug off. In this calculator, a half-inch waist miss often moves the displayed percent by a full point after the round-down, which is enough to shift the result for someone who is on the edge of their age-band max. Be sure to pull the tape snug, level, and at the sites listed in the FAQ.

ACFT checkbox

The ACFT 540+ box is a sticky note for waiver talk with leadership. Scoring high may help a waiver request. The tape formula on this page stays the same either way.

Army body fat calculator: AR 600-9 screening and tape

Height/weight screening plus Navy circumference body-fat estimate with AR 600-9 age caps. This calculator is for educational purposes only; confirm with official Army height/weight tables and your chain of command.

What this calculator does

First the calculator uses Sex, Age, and Height from sections 01–02 to look up the published height/age maximum, then checks Body weight in section 03 against that max. If weight clears that criteria, you are finished screening in this calculator. Otherwise, section 04’s neck and waist (plus hips for females) are used with the U.S. Navy circumference equations, and you get a body-fat percent next to the AR 600-9 age-band cap.

How the Math Works

Circumferences round to the nearest half inch. Height rounds to the nearest inch. Males:

\mathrm{BF\%} = 86.010\log_{10}(w - n) - 70.041\log_{10}(h) + 36.76

Females:

\mathrm{BF\%} = 163.205\log_{10}(w + \mathrm{hip} - n) - 97.684\log_{10}(h) - 78.387

w, n, and h are waist, neck, and height in inches. The percent you see is rounded down to a whole number. Full walkthrough of the default inputs lives in the example card above.

AR 600-9 maximum body fat by age and sex

Maximum allowable body fat

17–20

Male max: 20%
Female max: 30%

21–27

Male max: 22%
Female max: 32%

28–39

Male max: 24%
Female max: 34%

40+

Male max: 26%
Female max: 36%

Age band	Male max	Female max
17–20	20%	30%
21–27	22%	32%
28–39	24%	34%
40+	26%	36%

These caps are the only full listing on this page. Each older band adds two points. Cross the line and ABCP enrollment can follow; the calculator only shows where you sit relative to the cap.

What is most effective for moving the tape number

The formula reads circumference. For males the big lever is waist minus neck. Thicker neck helps. Smaller waist helps more. Miles of cardio that leave your waist unchanged leave this equation unchanged too. Drop an inch or two at the waist and you often cut one or two whole-number points, which is plenty to flip a borderline result. Eat heavy or tape while bloated and the swing goes the other way. Empty-stomach morning tapes are the usual advice for a reason.

Army Body Fat FAQ

How does this page run AR 600-9–style screening?

You set sex, age, and height in sections 01–02, then body weight in section 03. The calculator checks that weight against the height/age table max. Over the max? Section 04’s tape numbers go into the Navy circumference formulas, and the Result panel shows the body-fat percent beside your age-band maximum.

What does Weight screening Exempt mean?

At the defaults (male, age 25, 5′10″, 180 lb), weight sits under the table max of 185 lb. The panel reads Exempt. Taping is not required for that case. The circumference fields stay editable if you want to peek at the tape math anyway; bump weight over the max to see the pass/fail tape view.

Which tape sites does the calculator use?

Section 04 takes Neck and Waist for males (waist at the navel). Females also enter Hips; waist is the narrowest abdomen. Neck sits just below the larynx. Each circumference rounds to the nearest 0.5 in before the Navy formula runs.

Why is the body-fat result a whole number?

The Navy formula can spit out decimals. This page rounds that percent down to a whole number. 12.2% and 12.9% both show as 12%. Common AR 600-9 practice. On a borderline fail, that missing tenth of a percent matters.

What does the ACFT 540+ checkbox do here?

It records a policy note only. A 540+ ACFT with minimums in each event may let command waive tape under some rules. The checkbox leaves the screening math alone. Leadership still decides any waiver.

Is this an official Army assessment?

No. Your unit runs the official tape with their procedures and equipment. This page is an educational estimate using the Navy circumference formula family and published AR 600-9 caps. Measurement technique alone can swing results by a point or more.

What happens if body fat exceeds the maximum?

Going over the age/sex cap can put a soldier into the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP), usually with a timed window to meet standard. Here you only see pass/fail against the published maximum. Timelines and paperwork come from your chain of command.

Can I use this if I am not in the Army?

Yes for curiosity. Circumference math shows up across services. The maximum percents on this page are AR 600-9 Army caps; other branches publish different limits.

Sources & citations

References used for the calculation method and definitions. Links open in a new tab when available.

[1]

AR 600-9: The Army Body Composition Program

Department of the Army regulation governing the Army Body Composition Program: screening, circumference taping, and maximum allowable body fat by age and sex.

[2]

Hodgdon & Beckett (1984): Prediction of Percent Body Fat for U.S. Navy Men

Naval Health Research Center report No. 84-11: men’s circumference-and-height body fat prediction used in the Navy tape method applied under DoD/AR 600-9 procedures.

[3]

Hodgdon & Beckett (1984): Prediction of Percent Body Fat for U.S. Navy Women

Naval Health Research Center report No. 84-29: women’s circumference-and-height body fat prediction (including hip), paired with the men’s report.

Fitness Reference Note

Informational Use: These calculations (BMI, Calories, etc.) are based on standard statistical formulas and are intended for general reference and goal-setting purposes only.

Consult Experts: This tool does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Results may not be accurate for athletes, pregnant individuals, or those with underlying health conditions.

Health Safety: Always consult with a healthcare professional or qualified trainer before beginning any new diet or intensive exercise program.

Privacy First: All calculations are performed locally in your browser. No health data is stored or transmitted to any server.

Demographics

Height

Step 1, Weight screening

Tape measurements