Healthy Body Fat Percentage Ranges by Gender
Body fat percentage ranges differ meaningfully by gender, since women naturally carry more essential fat than men.
Ranges for men
Roughly 2-5% is essential fat, 6-13% is athletic, 14-17% is fitness, 18-24% is average, and 25%+ is considered above the healthy average range.
Ranges for women
Roughly 10-13% is essential fat, 14-20% is athletic, 21-24% is fitness, 25-31% is average, and 32%+ is considered above the healthy average range.
What matters more than hitting a specific number
Trending in a healthy direction consistently matters more than obsessing over a precise target, especially for people not competing athletically.
Body fat calipers
Track your progress within your target range.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized fitness or medical advice. Significant dietary or exercise changes are worth discussing with a doctor.