Army Body Fat Calculator

The Army Body Fat Calculator is based on the U.S. Army Regulations of Standards of Medical Fitness, published on Sept. 10, 2008. This calculator will determine your body fat percentage as well as the compliance situation to the army recruitment standard, or the body fat percentage standard after entry into the Army or the more stringent Department of Defense goal. To ensure your accuracy, measure three times and take the average. Also, measure to the nearest 1/2 inch, or 1/4 inch, if possible.

Reference

Appropriate body fat is one of the medical fitness requirements to join and stay in the U.S. Army. The Department of Defense releases its body fat requirements every few years as part of the Standards of Medical Fitness. The latest release was published on Sept. 10, 2008, and the requirements are summarized in the following two tables:

Maximum Allowable Body Fat Percentage to Join*

Age	Male	Female
17-20	26%	32%
21-27	26%	32%
28-39	28%	34%
40 and over	30%	38%

Maximum Body Fat Percentage Standard after Entry*

Age	Male	Female
17-20	20%	30%
21-27	22%	32%
28-39	24%	34%
40 and over	26%	36%

Department of Defense goal: 18% body fat for males, and 26% body fat for females.*

After meeting the initial qualifications, a person's body fat will be measured periodically. Those who fail to meet the requirements may be put on a mandatory weight loss program and may be subject to administrative sanctions.

According the Standards of Medical Fitness, body fat is calculated based on the physical size of a person, which includes height/neck/waist size for men, and the height/neck/waist/hip size for women. When measuring, you should stand straight, with arms at both sides. The neck should be measured at the point just below the larynx. The waist should be measured at the point of minimal circumference, or close to the belly button. The hip should be measured at the widest point.

* from Army Regulation 40-501—Standards of Medical Fitness, dated 10 September 2008.