Skinfold Body Fat Calculator

Estimate body fat percentage using the Jackson-Pollock 3-site skinfold method — one of the most widely validated field-based body composition measurements.

Sites: Chest, Abdomen, Thigh

What Does This Tool Do?

Calculate body fat percentage using the Jackson-Pollock 3-site skinfold caliper method — the gold standard field test for body composition, validated against hydrostatic weighing.

Key Features

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3-Site Method
Jackson-Pollock validated formula.
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Sex-Specific
Different sites for males and females.
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Category
Essential, Athlete, Fitness, Average, Obese.
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Formula
Body density and Siri equation shown.

How to Use

  1. Select sex and enter age.
  2. Measure skinfold thickness at each site with calipers.
  3. Enter the three measurements in mm.
  4. Click Calculate Body Fat %.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the measurement sites?▾
Males: chest (diagonal fold between nipple and armpit), abdomen (vertical fold 2cm right of navel), thigh (vertical fold mid-anterior thigh). Females: tricep, suprailiac, thigh.
How accurate is the skinfold method?▾
The Jackson-Pollock method has a standard error of approximately ±3-4% body fat versus hydrostatic weighing. Accuracy depends heavily on correct site location and caliper technique.
What is the Siri equation?▾
BF% = (4.95 / body_density − 4.50) × 100. It converts the body density estimate from skinfold measurements into a body fat percentage.