The formula for calculating your body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy method was created by Hodgdon and Beckett at the Naval Health Research Center in 1984. Body measurements should be taken in centimeters with an accuracy of 0.5 centimeters as required by the formula. Males and females will need to use different methods of measuring since males collect fat primarily in their abdomen, while females collect fat in their abdomen and hips. The formulas account for these differences.
The formula for males is:
Body Fat Percent = 495/(1.0324-0.19077(log(waist-neck))+0.15456(log(height)))-450
The formula for females is:
Body Fat Percent = 495/(1.29579-0.35004(log(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(log(height)))-450