Body Circumference Measurements

A different method of calculating body fat at home is circumference measuring (CM). With this technique, measurements are made at specific body locations using a tape measure. To calculate body fat percentage, an equation using these data is then used.

CM is regarded as an accurate way to calculate body fat. This metric is even used by the Department of Defense to calculate the body fat percentage of service members. Using a non-stretch tape measure, take circumference measurements three times at each anatomical site and record to the nearest half-inch. By sex, the measurement locations differ. In this equation, the neck and waist circumferences of men are taken into account. The hip circumference is also taken into account for women.