Body fat categories (ACE)
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential fat | 2–5% | 10–13% |
| Athletes | 6–13% | 14–20% |
| Fitness | 14–17% | 21–24% |
| Average | 18–24% | 25–31% |
| Obese | 25% and above | 32% and above |
Why women have higher ranges
Women carry more essential fat, which the body needs for hormonal and reproductive health. That is why every category starts higher for women.
For Indians, check your waist too
Asian Indians tend to store more fat around the abdomen. Indian guidelines treat a waist above 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women as abdominal obesity, even if body fat and BMI look moderate.
Try it yourself. Get your own result in seconds with the free Body Weight Calculator.
Open the Body Weight CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What is a healthy body fat percentage for men?
Roughly 14–24% covers the fitness and average ranges for men.
What is a healthy body fat percentage for women?
Roughly 21–31% covers the fitness and average ranges for women.
Sources
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