Army Body Fat Calculator
Check the current US Army body composition standard — waist-to-height ratio under 0.55 (Army Directive 2026-13) — with the 2023 one-site tape test for comparison.
Current standard (AD 2026-13)
Medical disclaimer. This calculator is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for professional care. Waist-to-height ratio is the Army’s compliance standard, not a clinical body-composition measurement. Official assessments are taken by trained teams; confirm the current rules with your unit, as Army body composition policy has changed twice since 2023.Speak to a doctor or another qualified clinician about any health decision.Last reviewed .
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Army body fat standard?
Since 7 July 2026, under Army Directive 2026-13, the Army no longer estimates body fat at all. Every Soldier's waist, measured at the navel, divided by their height must be below 0.55. There is no age or sex adjustment, and it replaced the height-and-weight screen, the tape test and the supplemental DEXA, BIA and Bod Pod assessments.
What happens if my waist-to-height ratio is 0.55 or more?
A second team re-measures you the same duty day. If the confirmation also reads 0.55 or more, you are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program. The Army said no separation actions for failing WHtR would occur during the first 180 days of assessment. Soldiers are assessed twice a calendar year.
How did the 2023 one-site tape test work?
From June 2023 (Army Directive 2023-11) the Army estimated body fat from abdominal circumference at the navel and bodyweight: for men, -26.97 - 0.12 x weight in pounds + 1.99 x abdomen in inches; for women, -9.15 - 0.015 x weight + 1.27 x abdomen, rounded to a whole percent. The limits were age-banded: 20%, 22%, 24% and 26% for men aged 17-20, 21-27, 28-39 and 40+, and 30%, 32%, 34% and 36% for women. This is the method WHtR replaced.
Is the old neck, waist and hip tape test still used?
Not by the Army. The multi-site circumference method - neck and abdomen for men, neck, waist and hip for women - was replaced by the one-site tape test in 2023, which WHtR in turn replaced in 2026. The Navy and Marine Corps have their own standards; use our Navy body fat calculator for that method.