Knowing your percent body fat can help determine if you are at a healthy weight or can determine what your healthy weight should be. There are several ways to determine how much body fat you have, but calculating your BMI is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to measure your percent fat. You can take your measurements by yourself or with a friend.
Step 1
Measure your height and weight with a scale and tape measure.
Step 2
Calculate your BMI. If you measured in kilograms and meters, divide your weight by your height squared. If you measured in pounds and inches, divide your weight by your height squared and multiply by 703.
Step 3
Determine your percent fat by using this equation:
Adult body fat percentage = 1.20 x BMI, + 0.23 x Age, - 10.8 x gender, - 5.4
Gender: Male=1, Female=0
Step 4
Follow this example to calculate your BMI and percent body fat. If you are a 22 year-old female measuring 67 inches and 140 pounds, calculate your BMI as follows:
140 divided by 67-squared x 703 = 21.92
Use your BMI to find your percent fat:
1.20 x 21.92, + 0.23 x 22, - 10.8 x 0, - 5.4 = 26 precent fat
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Scale
- Calculator
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