Army Body Fat Calculator

Calculate body fat according to the standards defined in US Army Regulation 600-9 using the calculator below.

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Body Fat Percentage:

Learn how we calculated this below

How to Calculate Body Fat

The US Army has strict standards for body composition to join and remain on active duty service. In addition to the Army Combat Fitness Test, the body composition standards’ objective is to promote physical fitness, well-being, and performance of soldiers.

While there is no maximum weight, AR 600-9^[1] defines specific body fat percentage standards for a soldier’s age and gender that need to be met if a soldier’s weight exceeds the limit for their height.

You’ll need a few body measurements to calculate body fat percentage using the US Army standard. Then, use the formulas below to calculate body fat percentage.

Height: measured while standing straight without shoes. Per AR600-9, the height will be measured with the soldier in stocking feet (without running shoes) and wearing the authorized physical fitness uniform.

Neck: circumference measured just below the larynx, or Adam’s apple, and perpendicular to the neck.

Waist: abdominal circumference measured to the nearest half-inch at the point of minimal abdominal circumference.

Hips: circumference while facing soldier’s right side by placing the tape around the hips so that it passes over the greatest protrusion of the gluteal muscles (buttocks) as viewed from the side.

Body Fat Formula for Males

AR 600-9 defines the following formula to calculate male body fat percentage:

% body fat = [86.010 × log₁₀(waist – neck)] – [70.041 × log₁₀(height)] + 36.76

The percentage of body fat for a male is equal to 86.010 times log₁₀ of the waist minus the neck circumference, minus 70.041 times log₁₀ of the height, plus 36.76.

Body Fat Formula for Females

AR 600-9 defines the following formula to calculate female body fat percentage:

% body fat = [163.205 × log₁₀(waist + hip – neck)] – [97.684 × log₁₀(height)] – 78.387

Female body fat percentage is equal to 163.205 times log₁₀ of the waist plus the hip minus the neck circumference, minus 97.684 times log₁₀ of the height, plus 78.387.

US Army Body Fat Standards

The standards for maximum body fat percentage, as defined in AR 600-9 are shown in the table below.

Maximum body fat percentage requirements for male and female soldiers defined in AR 600-9
Age	Male	Female
17-20	20%	30%
21-27	22%	32%
28-39	24%	34%
40 and older	26%	36%

The Army has relaxed standards for joining the service, allowing soldiers to achieve a lower body fat percentage after joining. AR 40-501^[2] defines the body fat percentage standards to join the Army.

Maximum body fat percentage requirements for males and females to join the Army defined in AR 40-501
Age	Male	Female
17-20	24%	30%
21-27	26%	32%
28-39	28%	34%
40 and older	30%	36%

You might also be interested in our Navy body fat calculator.