ð Body Fat Percentage Chart
Healthy body fat percentage ranges for men and women.
Body fat percentage is one of the most useful indicators of overall fitness and health. Unlike BMI, it distinguishes between lean mass and fat mass. Healthy body fat ranges differ significantly between men and women due to biological differences â women naturally carry more essential fat for reproductive and hormonal functions.
Body Fat Categories by Sex
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 2â5% | 10â13% |
| Athletes | 6â13% | 14â20% |
| Fitness | 14â17% | 21â24% |
| Average | 18â24% | 25â31% |
| Obese | 25%+ | 32%+ |
Healthy Body Fat Ranges by Age â Men
Body fat naturally increases with age. The ranges below reflect what is considered healthy for each age group.
| Age Group | Healthy Range | Ideal (Fitness) |
|---|---|---|
| 20â29 | 10â20% | 14â17% |
| 30â39 | 12â22% | 15â19% |
| 40â49 | 14â24% | 17â21% |
| 50â59 | 16â26% | 19â23% |
Healthy Body Fat Ranges by Age â Women
| Age Group | Healthy Range | Ideal (Fitness) |
|---|---|---|
| 20â29 | 18â28% | 21â24% |
| 30â39 | 20â30% | 22â26% |
| 40â49 | 22â32% | 24â28% |
| 50â59 | 24â34% | 26â30% |
Data sources: American Council on Exercise (ACE) body fat categories; Jackson & Pollock body composition research; WHO health guidelines. Body fat can be measured via DEXA scan, hydrostatic weighing, skinfold calipers, or bioelectrical impedance â accuracy varies by method.
About this chart
Visual body fat percentage chart with healthy ranges for men and women. See where your body fat percentage falls across essential fat, athletic, fitness, average, and obese categories. This reference table uses data from the American Council on Exercise and other health organizations to help you set realistic body composition goals.