How the Army tape test works
The Army Body Composition Program (AR 600-9) estimates body fat from a handful of tape measurements taken in inches rather than from skinfolds or a lab scan. Men are measured at the neck and waist; women add a hip measurement. A logarithmic formula then converts the circumferences and your height into a body-fat percentage.
The method is built for the field: it needs nothing more than a cloth tape and a level surface, which is why the Army can apply it consistently across large numbers of soldiers.
Reading your result
The output is a single body-fat percentage. The Army compares that figure against age- and sex-based limits to decide whether a soldier meets the standard, so the number only becomes pass or fail once you check it against the relevant table for your age group.
Because it relies on a few measurements, the estimate is sensitive to tape placement. Small errors at the waist or neck can shift the percentage by a point or two.
Measuring accurately
For a result you can trust, take the measurements carefully:
- Keep the tape snug and level, without compressing the skin.
- Measure the neck below the larynx and the waist at the navel.
- Relax your stomach — do not flex or hold your breath.
- Repeat each measurement and average the readings.
Health note
Circumference methods are quick approximations and can read high or low for very lean or very muscular bodies. They are not a clinical assessment of health. For medical decisions, rely on a qualified professional and more precise methods such as DEXA.
Formula
male %bf = 86.010·log₁₀(waist−neck) − 70.041·log₁₀(height) + 36.76; female %bf = 163.205·log₁₀(waist+hip−neck) − 97.684·log₁₀(height) − 78.387Frequently asked questions
- What standard is this based on?
- Army Regulation 600-9, the Army Body Composition Program, which uses tape measurements in inches.