Skinfold Body Fat Calculator
Jackson-Pollock 3-site caliper method.
Chest for men, triceps for women.
Abdomen for men, suprailiac for women.
Site location is the biggest source of error. When tracking change over time, have the same person take every measurement the same way.
Body fat (Jackson-Pollock)
13.6%
Accuracy is roughly ±3–5 percentage points against DEXA in trained hands, and worse without practice.
How the Skinfold Body Fat Calculator works
Skinfold calipers measure the fat directly under the skin at set sites, and regression equations convert those thicknesses into a whole-body estimate. Done consistently by the same person, the method tracks change well — the technique matters far more than the calipers.
Not medical advice. This calculator gives a general estimate, not medical advice. It cannot account for your individual health, medical history, or medication. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any result.
Frequently asked questions
Which sites does the 3-site method use?
For men: chest, abdomen and thigh. For women: triceps, suprailiac and thigh. The sites differ because the underlying equations were derived separately for each, so using the wrong set gives a wrong answer.
How do I take a skinfold measurement properly?
Pinch the skin and fat firmly, pulling it away from the muscle, and place the calipers about a centimetre from your fingers at the midpoint of the fold. Read after roughly two seconds. Take three readings at each site and use the median. Always measure the right side of the body.
How accurate are skinfold calipers?
About ±3–5 percentage points against DEXA in trained hands, and considerably worse in untrained ones. The single biggest source of error is inconsistent site location, which is why the same tester should take every measurement when tracking change.
Skinfolds or the tape measure method?
Skinfolds are more accurate when done well but need equipment and practice; the US Navy tape method needs only a tape and is more repeatable for most people. For tracking your own trend, the more repeatable method usually wins.