Body Fat Percentage from 4 Site Skin Fold
Measure the skin folds when the skin is dry, before exercise, and when you're not overheated. Measure each skinfold 3 times and use the 2 which agree. Pinch from the top and measure from the bottom. (Directions to take skinfolds are given after the calculator.)
Enter the measurement values in the tables below and press 'calculate body fat' to calculate your body fat percentage using the 4 site skinfold measurement.
The 4 Site Skin Fold:
- SITE 1 - ABDOMINAL. A vertical skinfold measurement taken 2.5 cm (one inch) to the right of the umbilicus (navel).
- SITE 2 - SUPRAILIAC. Take a diagonal fold following the natural line of the iliac crest, just above the hip bone.
- SITE 3 - THIGH. A vertical skinfold measurements taken half the distance between the patella (knee cap) and the inguinal crease (the skin crease between the thigh and the hip). The leg should be straight and relaxed.
- SITE 4 - TRICEPS. With the arm resting comfortably at the side, take a vertical fold parallel to the long axis of the arm midway between the prominent bone at the top of the shoulder (acromion process) and the tip of the elbow (olecranon process).
References:
Jackson A S, Pollock, M (1985) Practical assessment of body composition. Physician Sport Med. 13: 76-90.
