What is the Army tape test?

It is the standard body fat estimation method used by the US Army when a soldier exceeds screening weight tables.

Where do I measure for the tape test?

Males measure neck and abdomen (navel). Females measure neck, waist (narrowest point), and hips (furthest protrusion of gluteal muscles).

Army Body Fat Calculator

Use this official US Army body fat calculator (AR 600-9 tape test) to determine body fat percentage, pass/fail status, and maximum allowable fat limits by age and sex.

How to use this calculator

Select your gender and enter your age.
Measure neck circumference below the larynx (perpendicular to long axis of neck).
For males: measure abdomen at naval level. For females: measure waist at narrowest point and hips at widest point.
View calculated body fat percentage and compare against US Army AR 600-9 maximum allowable limits.

Formula & method

US Army Tape Test Logarithmic Formulas

Male %BF = 86.010 × log10(Waist − Neck) − 70.041 × log10(Height) + 36.76

Female %BF = 163.205 × log10(Waist + Hip − Neck) − 97.429 × log10(Height) − 78.387 (in inches).

Example

Male, height 69 in, neck 15 in, waist 32 in → %BF ≈ 15.2% (Passes for age 25).

Key insights

The US Army Body Composition Program (AR 600-9) uses circumference measurements to estimate body fat.
Maximum allowable body fat standards for males: 20% (17–20 yrs), 22% (21–27 yrs), 24% (28–39 yrs), 26% (40+ yrs).
Maximum allowable body fat standards for females: 30% (17–20 yrs), 32% (21–27 yrs), 34% (28–39 yrs), 36% (40+ yrs).
Neck measurements are taken just below the larynx, rounding up to the nearest 0.5 inch.

How to interpret your result

Army Body Fat Percentage

Your estimated body fat percentage according to Army tape equations.

AR 600-9 Compliance

Indicates whether your body fat meets military standards for your age group.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Army tape test?: It is the standard body fat estimation method used by the US Army when a soldier exceeds screening weight tables.
Where do I measure for the tape test?: Males measure neck and abdomen (navel). Females measure neck, waist (narrowest point), and hips (furthest protrusion of gluteal muscles).

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