Measurement 1
Standing Height
in
Measured in inches to nearest 0.5 inch without footwear.
Military Body Fat Calculator (DoD Tape Test)
Calculate body fat percentage under DoD Instruction 1308.3 equations with service-specific passing limits across Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.
Measurement 2
Neck Circumference
in
Measured just below the larynx (Adam's apple) perpendicular to neck.
Measurement 3
Abdomen / Waist
in
Measured across the navel (umbilicus) at normal end of expiration.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
Body composition is measured differently by branch. The Army uses a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 as its sole standard under Army Directive 2026-13: no Army body-fat percentage is computed and no fitness score exempts a Soldier. The Air Force scores the same ratio on the PFRA body-composition table (20 points). The Navy and Marine Corps still use the circumference tape method under DoD Instruction 1308.3, with results rounded to the nearest whole percent.
Maximum Allowable Body Fat Limits by Branch
| Preset Profile | Service Branch | Circumference Dimensions | Waist-to-Height Ratio | Calculated Body Fat | Regulatory Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preset 1: Lean Athletic Male | U.S. Army (AD 2026-13) | 70" Height / 16.5" Neck / 32.0" Waist | 0.46 (Standard < 0.55) | Not computed for Army (WHtR only) | COMPLIANT (Meets AD 2026-13 WHtR standard) |
| Preset 2: Borderline Compliant Male | U.S. Army (AD 2026-13) | 70" Height / 16.0" Neck / 35.5" Waist | 0.51 (Standard < 0.55) | Not computed for Army (WHtR only) | COMPLIANT (Meets AD 2026-13 WHtR standard) |
| Preset 3: Compliant Female Sailor | U.S. Navy (OPNAVINST 6110.1L) | 65" Height / 14.0" Neck / 30.0" Waist / 38.0" Hip | 0.46 | 27% (Raw 27.3%) | COMPLIANT (Navy 21-29 Limit: 34%) |
| Preset 4: Exceeds Retention Standard | U.S. Army (AD 2026-13) | 68" Height / 15.0" Neck / 39.0" Waist | 0.57 (Standard < 0.55) | Not computed for Army (WHtR only) | EXCEEDS LIMIT (WHtR 0.57 >= 0.55 Failure) |
High-Performance Tape Exemptions (USMC 285+ Only)
In the Marine Corps, Marines scoring 285 or higher on both the PFT and CFT receive complete body fat exemption under MCO 6100.13A. The Army has no equivalent exemption any more: the old 540+ ACFT rule (Army Directive 2023-08) was rescinded effective 31 May 2026, and Army Directive 2026-13 makes a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 the sole Army standard for every Soldier, regardless of fitness score.
Army Waist-to-Height Ratio Standard (AD 2026-13)
Under Army Directive 2026-13, the Army body-composition standard is a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55. The waist is measured once at the abdomen (single site, at the navel) and divided by height. A Soldier with a ratio of 0.5486 is compliant, because the ratio is compared unrounded: only a ratio of 0.55 or above fails. No Army body-fat percentage is calculated and no AR 600-9 percentage limit applies any more.