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Army Body Fat Calculator

What is the Army one-site tape test?

The Army one-site tape test estimates body fat percentage from body weight and a single abdominal measurement at the navel. AR 600-9 caps body fat at 20–26% for men and 30–36% for women depending on age. It replaced the multi-site neck and waist method in June 2024.

Your Measurements

years
lbs
inches

How to measure

  • Abdomen: Tape level with the navel, snug but not compressing the skin
  • Timing: Read at the end of a normal breath out. Don't suck in.
  • Accuracy: Take three readings and average them

Army Body Fat Standards by Age (AR 600-9)

AgeMen (max %)Women (max %)
17–2020%30%
21–2722%32%
28–3924%34%
40+26%36%

The Army One-Site Body Fat Formula

Army Directive 2023-11 replaced the multi-site tape method with a one-site formula based on body weight and abdominal circumference. It took effect for all soldiers in June 2024.

  • Men: %BF = −26.97 − (0.12 × weight lbs) + (1.99 × abdomen in)
  • Women: %BF = −9.15 − (0.015 × weight lbs) + (1.27 × abdomen in)

Worked example: a 25-year-old man who weighs 180 lbs with a 36-inch abdomen gets −26.97 − 21.6 + 71.64 = 23.1%. His limit is 22%, so he is 1.1 points over. At age 28 his limit rises to 24% and the same measurements pass.

Abdominal circumference drives the result. For men, each inch off the abdomen lowers the estimate by about 2 points. At the same abdomen measurement, a heavier soldier scores lower, because the formula treats the extra weight as lean mass.

Army Body Fat FAQ