Skinfold Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat from three caliper skinfold measurements using the Jackson-Pollock formula. Men use chest, abdomen, and thigh; women use triceps, suprailiac, and thigh.
Calculator by Toolsloft ↗- Body fat
- 13.61%
- Body density
- 1.0677
Skinfold calipers are one of the most accessible ways to estimate body fat when used carefully. This tool applies the Jackson-Pollock 3-site equations, the standard behind most caliper charts, then converts body density to a body fat percentage with the Siri formula.
How this is calculated
The sum of three skinfolds in millimeters is put through the Jackson-Pollock 3-site regression for body density, which differs by sex and includes an age term. Men measure the chest, abdomen, and thigh; women measure the triceps, suprailiac, and thigh. Body density is then converted to body fat percentage with the Siri equation, 495 divided by density minus 450. Consistent caliper technique matters more than the formula.
How to use
- Take each skinfold with calipers on the right side of the body, in millimeters.
- Men enter chest, abdomen, and thigh; women enter triceps, suprailiac, and thigh.
- Enter your age and sex, then read your estimated body fat percentage.
Examples
- Male, 30, folds 10 + 20 + 15 mm:
Body fat about 13.6% - Female, 25, folds 18 + 22 + 30 mm:
Body fat about 27.0%
FAQ
- How accurate are skinfold measurements?
- With good technique the Jackson-Pollock method is accurate to within a few percent for most people. Errors usually come from inconsistent caliper placement rather than the formula.
- Which sites do I measure?
- For the 3-site method men measure the chest, abdomen, and thigh, while women measure the triceps, suprailiac, and thigh. Take each fold two or three times and average them.