The Army one-site tape test
Since June 2024 the U.S. Army measures body fat with a one-site tape test (Army Directive 2023-11, AR 600-9). It needs only the abdomen circumference at the navel and body weight, replacing the older test that also taped the neck and, for women, the hips. Soldiers who score 540 or more on the Army Combat Fitness Test, with at least 80 points in each event, are exempt from the body fat assessment.
- Men: body fat % = −26.97 − 0.12 × weight (lb) + 1.99 × abdomen (in)
- Women: body fat % = −9.15 − 0.015 × weight (lb) + 1.27 × abdomen (in)
Example: a woman who weighs 165 lb with a 30 in abdomen has 26.475%, recorded as 26%. That is within the standard for every age group.
How the abdomen is measured
The tape goes around the abdomen at the level of the navel, level with the floor, at the end of a normal breath out. Each measurement is rounded down to the nearest half inch, it is taken three times, and the average is used.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official Army result?
No. Only a measurement by trained personnel under AR 600-9 counts. Use the calculator to see where you stand before the test.
What happens if I am over the standard?
A Soldier who fails the tape test can request a supplemental body fat assessment, such as a DEXA scan, where available. Otherwise the Army Body Composition Program starts.
Why only the abdomen?
The Army's body composition study found that the abdomen measurement with body weight predicts body fat better than the older neck, waist and hip method.