If you think you’re a little on the heavy side, then you need to know whether that’s a problem. To do that, you measure how much of your body weight is fat. That’s where this tool can help. With it, you can work out your body fat percentage. We’ve also included information on how to calculate body fat and guidelines for reducing it. Read on to learn more.

What Makes Up the Human Body?

We only see what’s on the outside of our body, and that’s probably for the best. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to know the its composition. There are six primary elements: Oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They make up 98 percent of your body. One percent is chlorine, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, and sodium. Your body also includes water, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, hydroxyapatite, and nucleic acids.

What is Body Fat?

Body fat is tissue that stores energy as lipids. Your body also uses it for cushioning, insulation, and organ protection. There are two primary fat types: Storage and essential. Storage fat is extra, whereas essential fat supports your life and reproduction.

How Do You Calculate Your Body Fat?

If you’d like an idea of how much fat is in your body, then use our body fat calculator. While this tool is not as accurate as a doctor’s visit, it can provide a quick estimate. For a real answer, visit your local GP. 

Before you calculate your body fat percentage, measure yourself. 

Weight: weigh yourself naked before breakfast in the morning
Waist: measure the narrow part of your torso, and don’t suck your stomach in 
Wrist: measure the fullest part of your wrist (women only) 
Forearm: measure around the biggest part of your forearm (women only) 
Hips: measure the widest point of your hip below your waist and keep your feet together (women only) 

Once you have your data, input it into the calculator. You can change the units from pounds and inches to whatever you prefer. You can also learn more about the formulas we use to find your fat percentage below. 

1.	lean body mass (men) = (weight x 1.082) + 94.42 - waist x 4.15

2.	lean body mass (women) = (weight x 0.732) + 8.987 + wrist / 3.140 - waist x 0.157 - hip x 0.249 + forearm x 0.434

3.	Your body fat weight = your weight – your lean body mass

4.	Your body percentage = your body fat weight / your weight