The Tape Test
The US Army estimates body fat from circumference measurements rather than weight, under Army Regulation 600-9. Men are measured at the neck and waist; women at the neck, waist and hips. The equations come from US Navy research and are the same ones used by most military branches.
Men: 86.010 × log10(waist − neck) − 70.041 × log10(height) + 36.76
Women: 163.205 × log10(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684 × log10(height) − 78.387
Army Body Fat Standard Chart
| Age group | Maximum for men | Maximum for women |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40 and over | 26% | 36% |
The allowances rise with age because body composition changes over a career, and they are higher for women because essential fat requirements are higher.
When the Tape Test Applies
Soldiers are first screened against a height and weight table. Only those exceeding the screening weight for their height proceed to the tape test. Under policy changes since 2023, soldiers scoring 540 or above on the Army Combat Fitness Test with at least 80 points in every event are exempt from body fat assessment entirely — recognition that the tape test measures shape rather than performance.
Measuring Correctly
- Neck — just below the larynx, tape sloping slightly downward at the front. Do not flex.
- Waist — men, at the navel; women, at the narrowest point of the abdomen.
- Hips — women only, at the widest point of the buttocks.
- Take three measurements and average them. Measure at the same time of day, ideally in the morning before eating.
Because the formula subtracts the neck from the waist, a half-inch error at either point can shift the result by more than a full percentage point.
How Accurate Is It
Circumference methods carry an error of roughly ±3–4% against DEXA, and they systematically overestimate for muscular individuals with thick necks and narrow waists — precisely the build the standard is meant to favour. This is the long-standing criticism, and the reason for the ACFT exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I fail the tape test?
Enrolment in the Army Body Composition Program, with monthly assessment, nutrition counselling and a requirement to show progress. Continued failure can affect promotion and eventually lead to separation.
Can I be within weight and still fail?
You cannot be taped at all if you meet the screening weight for your height. The tape test only applies above it.
Is this the same as the Navy method?
The formula is the same. The standards differ — the Navy uses 22% for men under 40 and 26% for men 40 and over, with its own female thresholds.