Metabolic And Cardiovascular Obesity Scores

Navy Body Fat Percentage Calculator

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Body composition estimate

Enter circumference measurements in centimetres. Use a flexible tape held level against the body without compressing the skin.

Sex used by the equation The equation uses sex-specific circumference terms.

Height (cm)

Waist / abdominal circumference (cm) For men, measure the abdomen at the level of the navel. Measurement protocols may differ by sex and service.

Neck circumference (cm)

Hip circumference (cm; female equation) Required when Female is selected; otherwise it is not used.

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About the Navy method

The Navy method estimates body fat percentage from height and body circumference measurements. It was developed for military personnel and should be treated as an estimate rather than a diagnostic test or a substitute for a reference body-composition method.

Measurements used

Equation	Required measurements
Male	Height, abdominal circumference, and neck circumference
Female	Height, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference

Formula implemented

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.

All measurements are entered in centimetres. These are the circumference-based percentage equations used in the supplied source code and documented in U.S. service guidance.

Practical limitations

Measurement site and technique affect the estimate; use a consistent protocol.
The original equations were developed in military cohorts, so performance may differ in other populations.
Do not use the estimate alone to diagnose obesity, assess cardiometabolic risk, or make treatment decisions.

References

Hodgdon JA, Beckett MB. Prediction of percent body fat for United States Navy men from body circumferences and height. Naval Health Research Center, Report No. 84-11, 1984. Related indexed publication: doi:10.1249/00005768-198404000-00421.

Hodgdon JA, Beckett MB. Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. Navy women from body circumferences and height. Naval Health Research Center, Report No. 84-29, 1984. The original report metadata and full text were not independently retrieved during this audit.

National Research Council. Body Composition and Physical Performance: Body Composition in the Military Services—Standards and Methods. National Academies Press. Summary of military circumference equations and reported estimation errors. Read the chapter at NCBI Bookshelf.