Army Body Fat Calculator
The Army Body Fat Calculator is based on the Army Body Fat Assessment for the Army Body Composition Program, published on June 12, 2023. For accuracy, all measurements should be the average of at least three attempts and rounded to the nearest pound or 0.5 inch.
Reference
Appropriate body fat is a medical requirement for joining and staying in the U.S. Army. The standards are designed to ensure soldiers are physically capable of meeting the demands of their duties.
This calculator reflects the policy update published on June 12, 2023, following the 2021 ACFT study. A key update is that soldiers scoring 540 or higher on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), with a minimum of 80 points in each event, are exempt from body fat standards.
All branches of the Army, including the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, must follow this directive.
Maximum Allowable Percent Body Fat Standards
| Age Group | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40+ | 26% | 36% |
Measurement Method
- Uses a one-site circumference method (waist measured at the belly button).
- Round waist measurement to the nearest 0.5 inch.
- Round weight to the nearest pound.
- Take 3 measurements and calculate the average for accuracy.
Failing the Tape Test
Soldiers who fail the body fat assessment are "flagged" and may request a supplemental body fat assessment if available. The three authorized supplemental methods are:
- Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
- InBody 770 Analyzer
- Bod Pod Composition System
If a soldier fails or declines the supplemental testing, the flag remains, and they are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP).