Quick answer: A 25-year-old male soldier weighing 180 lb with a 36 in abdomen scores −26.97 − 0.12 × 180 + 1.99 × 36 = 23.1% (23% rounded), above the 22% maximum for ages 21–27.
How it's calculated
Since Army Directive 2023-11 the Army estimates body fat from weight and one tape measurement, the abdomen at the level of the navel. Men: −26.97 − 0.12 × weight (lb) + 1.99 × abdomen (in). Women: −9.15 − 0.015 × weight (lb) + 1.27 × abdomen (in). Metric entries are converted to pounds and inches first.
The result is compared with the maximum allowable body fat for your age group in AR 600-9: men 20% (17–20), 22% (21–27), 24% (28–39) and 26% (40 and over); women 30%, 32%, 34% and 36%.
Taping normally happens only when a soldier is over the screening weight for their height, and soldiers with high Army fitness test scores can be exempt; check the current regulation for the thresholds that apply to you.
The one-site equation was fitted on soldiers against DEXA scans. Like any tape method it estimates total body fat with an error of a few percentage points and cannot show where fat is stored or how fit you are.
Worked examples
- Man, 25, 180 lb, abdomen 36 in: −26.97 − 0.12 × 180 + 1.99 × 36 = 23.1% (limit 22%)
- Woman, 30, 140 lb, abdomen 32 in: −9.15 − 0.015 × 140 + 1.27 × 32 = 29.4% (limit 34%)
- Man, 42, 200 lb, abdomen 38 in: −26.97 − 0.12 × 200 + 1.99 × 38 = 24.7% (limit 26%)
Maximum allowable body fat (AR 600-9)
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40 and over | 26% | 36% |
How the abdomen is measured
- Standing, arms at the sides, tape level all around the body at the navel.
- Measured at the end of a normal breath out, without compressing the skin.
- Three measurements are taken and averaged; weight is taken in light clothing without shoes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Army still measure the neck?
Not for the standard test. Directive 2023-11 replaced the neck-and-waist (men) and neck-waist-hip (women) method with the one-site abdomen measurement.
Why is the result different from the US Navy method?
The two use different equations and measurements. The US Navy body fat calculator uses height, neck, waist and hips; the Army method uses weight and the abdomen only.
Is the rounded value what counts?
This calculator rounds the estimate to a whole percent before comparing it with the limit. The official figure is the one recorded on the Army body fat worksheet.
Can I use this if I am not a soldier?
Yes, as an estimate of body fat, but the age limits are military standards, not health targets.
Where exactly do I measure my abdomen?
Around the bare abdomen at the level of the navel, with the tape level all the way round. Stand relaxed and read it at the end of a normal breath, without pulling your stomach in.
Does the body fat limit change with age?
Yes. The maximum differs for men and women and rises with age, so the same percentage can pass at one age and fail at another.