What Is Body Fat Percentage? How to Measure It
Learn what body fat percentage means, healthy ranges by gender, measurement methods (US Navy method, DEXA, BIA), and why body fat matters more than BMI.
Guide overview
BMI tells you if your weight is normal, but body fat percentage reveals your true body composition.
Learn what body fat percentage means, healthy ranges by gender, measurement methods (US Navy method, DEXA, BIA), and why body fat matters more than BMI.
Key points from the source guide
The source guide distinguishes essential fat from storage fat and explains why the percentage matters.
It compares common methods, including tape-measure estimates, BIA, DEXA, and visual ranges.
It positions body fat percentage as a useful companion to BMI when tracking health and fitness.
Try the related Toolars calculators
This migrated guide links to these Toolars tools: body-fat-calculator, bmi-calculator.
Tools mentioned in this article
Frequently asked questions
- What is the healthiest body fat percentage?
- For men: 10-20% is considered healthy. For women: 20-30% is healthy. Going below essential fat levels can harm hormonal and immune function.
- Can I target fat loss in specific areas?
- No. Spot reduction is a myth. Fat loss occurs throughout the body based on genetics and hormones. Consistent exercise and a calorie deficit reduce overall body fat, including stubborn areas over time.