How to Measure Body Fat Percentage With a Tape Measure

Many are turning to body fat percentage to help determine if they are healthy. Body fat percentage is the percentage of fat that accounts for how much a person weighs. Basically, the percentage is determined by dividing the weight of fat in an individual by her total weight. Understanding body fat percentage will help you set healthy and achievable weight loss goals and help you live a healthier lifestyle.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Body fat calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Remove your shoes, and stand straight with your heels against the wall. Measure your height using a tape measure. It is easier to have someone else do this rather than yourself. Write the height on a piece of paper.

• 2

  Step away from the wall and remain standing straight. Move your feet about 4 inches apart. Place the tape measure in the middle of your right hip and wrap it around your waist until the tape measure meets the other end. Write the hip measurement on a piece of paper.

• 3

  Measure the widest part of the calf, which is generally in the middle between the ankle and knee. Take the measurement either sitting down or standing up. Write the measurement on the same piece of paper.

• 4

  Place your feet at least 12 inches apart, and measure the widest part of the thigh. Measure the wrist by placing the tape measure in the dip between the hand and the bonier part of the wrist. Measure around the neck. Write all of the measurements on the same piece of paper.

• 5

  Enter the measurements into an online body fat calculator. Using the calculator is free, but might require registering an e-mail address on the website. You enter each of the measurements into a separate box on the calculator, and the website will indicate where each measurement should go. Press the "Calculate" button once finished, and the website will calculate the body fat percentage.