Body Fat Percentage: What's Healthy and How to Measure It
Published: 2026-05-04 · 6 min read
Body fat percentage is a more accurate indicator of health than weight alone. Learn what ranges are healthy and how to measure yours.
Understanding Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage is the proportion of your total body weight that is fat tissue. Unlike BMI, it distinguishes between fat mass and lean mass muscle, bone, water.
Healthy Body Fat Ranges
| Category | Men | Women |
|----------|-----|-------|
| Essential fat | 2-5% | 10-13% |
| Athletes | 6-13% | 14-20% |
| Fitness | 14-17% | 21-24% |
| Average | 18-24% | 25-31% |
| Obese | 25%+ | 32%+ |
Measurement Methods
| Method | Accuracy | Cost | Availability |
|--...
Try the free tool: Body Fat Calculator
More articles | All tools