Body composition

3-Site Skinfold Body Fat Calculator

The Jackson–Pollock 3-site method, the most validated caliper protocol for body fat estimation. Reliable to ±3% with good technique.

The Jackson–Pollock 3-site skinfold method estimates body fat from caliper measurements at three sites: chest, abdomen, thigh (men); triceps, suprailiac, thigh (women). Validated against hydrostatic weighing with ±3% accuracy.

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Your daily target

· cal/day

Enter your details and click Calculate

  • BMR · cal/day at rest
  • BMI ·  
  • Lean body mass · kg

30% protein · 40% carbs · 30% fat

Advanced metrics

Numbers are estimates. Eat at your target for 2 to 3 weeks, track weight, and adjust by ±100 cal/day if it does not match your real maintenance. See how accurate is TDEE?

Show advanced metrics 12 metrics · 7 formulas · 2D macro selector · life-stage

All metrics

Calculate above to populate the full metric table.

All 7 BMR formulas (side-by-side)

Mifflin–St Jeor · Harris–Benedict (revised) · Katch–McArdle · Cunningham · Average · Simple multiplier · Custom

TDEE across activity levels

See how much your TDEE changes between sedentary and athlete. Highlighted bar is your current selection.

Macros: 2D selector

Goal × carb-split matrix: Cut / Maintain / Bulk × Low / Moderate / High carb.

Life-stage adjustments

Luteal phase · Pregnancy (T1/T2/T3) · Breastfeeding · Perimenopause · PCOS

Measurement sites

  • Men: chest (diagonal at midpoint between nipple and armpit), abdomen (vertical 2 cm right of navel), thigh (vertical midway between hip and knee)
  • Women: triceps (vertical midway between shoulder and elbow), suprailiac (diagonal above hip bone), thigh (as above)

Technique tips

Pinch perpendicular to the skinfold direction. Hold calipers 1 cm from the fingers. Take three measurements per site and use the median. Same-side measurements (typically right). Same time of day.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate are skinfold measurements?
With trained technique, ±3% vs. DEXA. Self-measurement is harder, most home users see ±5–7% variance. Consistent technique and the same observer matter more than perfect form.
Skinfolds vs. BIA scale, which is better?
Skinfolds done well beat consumer BIA scales by a wide margin. BIA is hydration-sensitive and population-formula dependent. Caliper method is mechanical and protocol-driven.
Which is the best caliper for home use?
Lange and Harpenden are the gold standard. Slim Guide and Accu-Measure are good budget options for self-measurement.