Skinfold Calipers

Skinfold calipers are an affordable option for measuring body fat. They are particularly useful for measuring body fat levels when other methods that call for expensive equipment or specialist training are not accessible because they're relatively simple to use.

These handheld tools pinch and measure the thickness of subcutaneous (under the skin) fat in multiple areas of the body, including the abdomen, triceps, and thigh. When using skin calipers, it is typically advised to use the 7-site measurement method, which involves taking skinfold measurements from 7 different parts of the body. However, measurements from 8 sites and 3 sites can also be used. Skinfold calipers can be an accurate method for determining body fat, according to studies, but using them does need some skill and a knowledge of anatomy. Additionally, accuracy might differ greatly depending on your body fat percentage, how you're using the calipers, and other factors.