This online 7-site skin fold test calculator will help you to calculate your body fat percentage when using a skin fold caliper. The calculations are based on the *Jackson/Pollock 7-Site Caliper Method.
A skin fold test with a special skinfold caliper is considered to be the more accurate way to estimate body fat percentage, as opposed to methods that use simple tape measurements.
If you don't have a skin fold caliper, I suggest you try the Military Body Fat Calculator instead, which only requires a tape measure and 2 or 3 body part measurements.
Or, if you do have a skin fold caliper but would prefer fewer than 7 sites, feel free to use the 3-Site Body Composition Calculator, which is based on a 3-site skin fold test.
So with that, let's use the 7-site skin fold test calculator to calculate your body fat percentage.
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Skin Fold Test: A method of estimating bodyfat percentage by taking skinfold caliper measurements in 3-9 different locations on the body, and then applying the results into one of the various formulas available. In order to get the best and consistent measurements, all skinfold measurements should be taken on the same side (usually on the right side) and by the same person. Also, a minimum of two measurements should be taken at each location. If the two measurements differ by more than 2 millimeters, a third measurement should be taken. The skin fold test calculator then uses the average of the 2-3 measurements when making the calculations.
7-Site Body Fat Percentage Calculation: The formulas used for calculating the male and female percentages in the skin fold test calculator are as follows:
Male | BF%=495/(1.112-(0.00043499*s)+(0.00000055*s*s)-(0.00028826*a))-450 | |
Female | BF%=495/(1.097-(0.00046971*s)+(0.00000056*s*s)-(0.00012828*a))-450 | |
Variables | s = sum of 7 skinfold mm, a = age |
Bodyfat Percentage Categories: The American Council on Exercise lists the following bodyfat percentage categories:
Category | Women | Men |
Essential fat | 10% to 12% | 2% to 4% |
Athletes | 14% to 20% | 6% to 13% |
Fitness | 21% to 24% | 14% to 17% |
Acceptable | 25% to 31% | 18% to 25% |
Obese | 32% or higher | 26% or higher |
Pectoral or Chest Site | |
Female | Male |
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Pectoral (Chest): The pinch is taken between the areola and the armpit (axilla) but closer to the armpit, approximately 1/3 the distance. The skin fold is a diagonal one in the direction of the areola-armpit line. | |
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Abdomen or Belly Site | |
Female | Male |
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Abdomen (Belly): A vertical or horizontal fold is taken 2 centimeters to the right of the bellybutton (umbilicus). The vertical pinch is mostly used as the fat folds easier with most people. Some might find the horizontal pinch to fold easier. Use the direction that allows the most comfortable measurement. | |
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Quadriceps or Thigh Site | |
Female | Male |
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Quadriceps (Thigh): The skin fold here should be taken in the front, halfway from the upper part of the knee (proximal patella, where it corners when the leg is bend) and the fold above the thigh when the leg is raised (inguinal fold). The vertical fold should be pinched a little harder as fat and skin tissue in this area tends to be somewhat firmer. The thigh skin fold may therefore overestimate fat content. | |
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Triceps Site | |
Female | Male |
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Triceps (Upper arm, back): Pinch a vertical skin fold halfway the upper arm. If you want to be more precise, use a tape between the bony top of the shoulder or acromiale (do not confuse it with the bony upper part of the shoulder blade!) and the most prominent tip of the elbow (radiale). Mark a dot or a horizontal line at half the measured distance, here’s where the vertical fat fold should be pinched. Face the hand palm forward. | |
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Subscapula Site | |
Female | Male |
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Subscapula (Shoulder blade, lower tip): Locate the bottom tip of the shoulder blade (scapula) by moving the arm behind the back. Move the arm back to its original position. Take the skin fold at approximately 2 centimeters below the bottom tip at an angle of 45 degrees, almost parallel to the inside angle of the shoulder blade. | |
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Suprailiac or Iliac Crest Site | |
Female | Male |
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Suprailiac or Iliac crest (Hip, front): This skin fold is right below the front or anterior part of the armpit (axilla). From here follow a vertical line until you hit the hipbone. The skin fold is an angled one (approx. 45° going up and away from the body) 2 centimeters right above the iliac crest. The fold spot should be between the top of the hipbone on the side and the bony part on the lower right of the belly, which is still the same hipbone. | |
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Midaxillary Site | |
Female | Male |
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Midaxillary (Armpit at fifth rib): This fold is taken on the side of the torso, horizontally or vertically at the fifth rib. The most common is however a vertical fold. Its position can be determined by locating the lower tip of the breast bone (xiphoid process) and following a horizontal line to the side of the torso until you’re right below the arm pit (axilla). The arm should be raised at approximately chest height. | |
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* Jackson, A.S. & Pollock, M.L. (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. British J of Nutrition, 40: p497-504.
* Jackson, et al. (1980) Generalized equations for predicting body density of women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 12:p175-182.
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