Body Fat Formulas to Calculate Body Fat Percentage

June 18, 2024

How to Choose a Formula for % Body Fat?

The variety of formulas to calculate body fat percentage can create confusion when determining which to use. You should choose a formula according the next considerations:

Number of people to measure and time available to take measurements.
Age and gender of the person(s) to be measured.
Physical condition of the person(s) to be measured: is the subject sedentially, highly fit, or an athlete?
How much training you have with the skinfold measurement technique.

All skinfolds equations are based on research that was conducted on different groups of individuals with a variety of ages, sex and ethnicities, which could generate discrepancies in the results according to the person to be measured using each formula, and likewise, each formula differs in the number of skinffolds to be measured:

Less sinfold sites (2 - 3) = less time to complete, less precision in the results.
More skinfolds sites (4 - 9) = more time to complete, more precise.

These formulas are very well established and commonly used in the USA. There are many more formulas as well, including from researchers from other countries, and for specific ethnic populations.

Formulas for Calculating % Body Fat

Jackson - Pollock 7

The Jackson and Pollock 7 formula is one of the most accurate formulas for calculating the percentage of body fat because it utilizes 7 skinfold sites and it considers gender and age (between 18 and 61 years). It is ideal for persons with moderate physical activity, the general population, and young athletes.

Skinfold sites:

Chest, Midaxilar, Tríceps, Subescapular, Abdominal, Suprailiac, Thigh.

Males

Body density = 1.112 – (0.00043499 x sum of all the skinfolds) + (0.00000055 x sum of all of skinfolds squared) – (0.00028826 x age)
Body Fat Percentage (%) = [(495 / Body Density) – 450] x 100

Females

Body density= 1.097 – (0.00046971 x sum of all of skinfolds) + (0.00000056 x sum of all of skinfolds squared) – (0.00012828 x age)
Body Fat Percentage (%) = [(495 / Body Density) – 450] x 100

Jackson - Pollock 4

The Jackson-Pollock 4 formula is a fairly accurate formula for calculating the percentage of body fat, which utilizes 4 skinfold method and considers gender and age (between 18 and 61 years). It is often used with the general population, is simpler to perform compared to the Jackson and Pollock 7 site formula, and is more accurate than the the 3-site formula. This well-performed formula makes it one of the most reliable body fat percentage tests.

Skinfold Sites

Tríceps, Abdomen, Suprailíac, Thigh.

Males

Body density = (0.29288 x sum of all the skinfolds) – (0.0005 x sum of all of skinfolds squared) + (0.15845 x age) – 5.76377
Body Fat Percentage (%) = [(495 / Body Density) – 450] x 100

Females

Body Density = (0.29669 x sum of all the skinfolds) – (0/00043 x sum of all of skinfolds squared) + (0.02963 x age) + 1.4072
Body Fat Percentage (%) = [(495 / Body Density) – 450] x 100

Parillo

The Parillo formula of 9-Site skinfold is used to calculate the percentage of body fat that does not consider gender or age, and it's ideal for the general population. However, due to its simplicity it tends to have a good margin of error and inaccurate results.

Skinfold Sites

Chest, Bíceps, Tríceps, Subscapular, Abdominal, Suprailiac, Thigh, Lower back, Calf.

Men and Women

Percentage of body fat (%) = (27 x sum of all skinfolds (mm)) / body weight (lbs.)

Slaughter – Lohman

The Slaughter-Lohman formula is a skinfold equation that calculates the percentage of body fat from the taking of two site skinfolds and is ideal for children 8 to 18 years old, differs between boys and girls, for general population.

Skinfold Sites

Tríceps, Calf.

Boys

Boys: % Body Fat = 0.735 (Triceps skinfold (mm) + Calf skinfold (mm)) + 1.0

Girls

Girls: % Body Fat= 0.610 (Triceps skinfold (mm) + Calf skinfold (mm)) + 5.1

Yuhasz

The Yuhasz equation uses 6 skinfold sites to calculate body fat percentage, differs between men and women, for high-performance athletes and extremely fit individuals.

Skinfold Sites

Tríceps, Subescapular, Abdominal, Suprailiac, Thigh, Calf.

Men

Percentage of Body Fat (%) = (0.1051 x sum of all skinfolds) + 2.585

Women

Percentage of Body Fat (%) = (0.1548 x sum of all skinfolds) + 3.580

Boileau

Measurement of 2 skinfolds, age between 6 and 18 years, differs between men and women, for high performance athletes, mainly wrestling.

Skinfold Sites

Triceps, Subscapular.

Men

Body Fat (%) = 1.35 x (triceps + subscapular skinfolds) – 0.012 x (triceps + subscapular skinfolds)2 – X
X = 3.4 (6 to 11 years old); 4.4 (12 to 14 years old); 5.4 (15 to 17 years old)

Women

Body Fat (%) = 1.35 x (triceps + subscapular skinfolds) – 0.012 x (triceps + subscapular skinfolds)2 – X
X = 1.4 (6 to 10 years old); 2.4 (11 to 13 years old); 3.4 (14 to 15 years old); 4.0 (16 to 18 years old)

Durnin-Womersley

The Durnin-Womersley formula is a skinfold equation to calculate body fat percentage, is ideal for the general population (ages 17-72), utilizes 4 skinfold sites, and considers gender.

Skinfold Sites