Confused By Body Fat Calculator

CharityAngel

Not that I am complaining, but I have used the BMI calculators, and all of them have said that I am in the Obese Category, but have only based it on height and weight. I just used the Body Fat Calculator that the U.S. Navy uses, and it says that I am in an acceptable range. It was about 10% lower than all of the calculators have said I am.

This is it. http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/

Maybe you can see if it is the same for you. You will need a fabric tape measure, because it does ask for measurements.

yarwell

BMI calculators tell you BMI, not % fat. What numbers did you get - presumably the BMI was over 30.............

holleysings

This calculator is WAY off for me. I'm 38% body fat (by my scale and the tester at the gym) and this had me at 26%. This calculator http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/ is way more accurate for me.

CharityAngel

The MFP BMI calculator puts me at 38, this other calculator put me at 26% body fat, and the last calculator that was posted on here put me at over 46%. They are all so different, that I am thinking that I should choose a different way to measure or get someone to measure me specifically.

When I went to the metabolic research center, they told me that I had a higher muscle mass than a woman normally does, and that I should never weight less than 150lbs (I am 5'4") The Navy calculator was close to that, saying that I should not be less than 154.8 lbs (Unless I plan to be an athlete).

RuthieCass

Those BF calculator estimates are notoriously inaccurate. I wouldn't put too much stock in them. I don't think the BMI is the be all, end all. But if you are 50 lbs over a healthy weight and not very muscular, then I doubt your BF % is in an acceptable range.

ETA: If you really want to track this, maybe ask your gym to use some calipers on you.

shanae727

I don't use the BF Calculators anymore because the numbers are inaccurate. I use Accumeasure Caliper from Amazon. It's highly recommended by fitness professionals. GNC has them as well.

myfitnessnmhoy

When I went to the metabolic research center, they told me that I had a higher muscle mass than a woman normally does, and that I should never weight less than 150lbs (I am 5'4") The Navy calculator was close to that, saying that I should not be less than 154.8 lbs (Unless I plan to be an athlete).

Then you're good at 150-ish pounds, and you can safely ignore any and all online calculators, which are estimates based on averages. You've been told from people who should know and have done individualized tests on you that you are outside those averages.

Body fat percentages on web sites use a few measurements and some overly simple formulae to estimate body fat percentage. Handheld machines like those found at gyms use some electronic testing in addition to the measurements to help refine the numbers a little further. The only accurate way is to go somewhere that has proper testing equipment. Sounds like you've done that - that information trumps any and all less-rigorous data.

You've had a research center staffed with medical professionals render an opinion. If the estimates from online sites make you think the opinion may be wrong, see another professional organization for a re-evaluation. This is especially true if your lifestyle has changed in a way that might have affected that muscle composition.

fraser112

Those BF calculator estimates are notoriously inaccurate. I wouldn't put too much stock in them. I don't think the BMI is the be all, end all. But if you are 50 lbs over a healthy weight and not very muscular, then I doubt your BF % is in an acceptable range.

ETA: If you really want to track this, maybe ask your gym to use some calipers on you.

They all put me between lean and normal lol

pretty sure thats not right