Measure Body Fat with a Measuring Tape

General Body Fat Measuring Guidelines

1. Measure next to skin when you can or in thin clothing.
2. For increased accuracy, take 3 measurements and average them.
3. Wear similar clothing each time you measure.

Measuring Body Fat for Women

1. Neck
1. Widest part beneath Adam’s apple
2. Chest
1. Widest part or in line with nipples under your armpits
2. Take a couple of deep breaths. Measure at the end of your breath.
3. Forearms (Left Right)
1. Arm bent 90 degrees
2. Widest part (or select a distance from the bend in your elbow and always measure that distance)
4. Arms (Left Right)
1. Arm bent 90 degrees
2. Widest part un-flexed
5. Waist
1. Widest part or use belly button as reference
6. Hips
1. Widest part standing with feet touching together
7. Thighs (Left Right)
1. Put all weight on leg being measured (stand on one leg)
2. Measure widest part
3. Measure up from kneecap and measure that distance every time.
8. Calves (Left Right)
1. Put all the weight on the leg being measured (stand on one leg)
2. Measure widest part

Measuring Body Fat for Men

1. Neck
1. Widest part beneath Adam’s apple
2. Chest
1. Widest part or in line with nipples under your armpits
2. Take a couple of deep breaths. Measure at the end of your breath.
3. Forearms (Left Right)
1. Arm bent 90 degrees
2. Widest part (or select a distance from the bend in your elbow and always measure that distance)
4. Arms (Left Right)
1. Arm bent 90 degrees
2. Widest part un-flexed
5. Waist
1. Widest part or use belly button as reference
6. Hips
1. Widest part standing with feet touching together
7. Thighs (Left Right)
1. Put all weight on leg being measured (stand on one leg)
2. Measure widest part
3. Measure up from kneecap and measure that distance every time.
8. Calves (Left Right)
1. Put all the weight on the leg being measured (stand on one leg)
2. Measure widest part