Body Fat Percentage Chart

The following body fat percentage chart provides a rating system for assessing body fat levels. The chart is based on guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

The body needs a minimum amount of fat to function properly. This is called essential fat. Men should not have less than 3-5% body fat and women should not have less than 9-12% body fat.

Men

Age	Very Lean	Healthy	Overweight	Obese
20-39	Less than 8%	8% to 19%	20% to 24%	25% +
40-59	Less than 11%	11% to 21%	22% to 27%	28% +
60-79	Less than 13%	13% to 24%	25% to 29%	30% +

Women

Age	Very Lean	Healthy	Overweight	Obese
20-39	Less than 21%	21% to 32%	33% to 38%	39% +
40-59	Less than 23%	23% to 33%	34% to 39%	40% +
60-79	Less than 24%	24% to 35%	36% to 41%	42% +