Body Fat Percentage

Body fat percentage is the proportion of total body mass that is adipose tissue. It is a body-composition marker used alongside BMI to characterise weight-related health risk, with both very low and very high levels associated with health risks. Women naturally carry more essential fat than men. These percentiles are from US NHANES data, Americans tend to carry more body fat than European or Asian populations at the same age and BMI, so being 'average' here does not necessarily mean healthy. Read more on Wikipedia

Data source: Kelly et al. - NHANES DXA Body Composition Reference Values (2009) · n=32K About this study

Body Fat Percentage Body Composition

Body Fat Percentage Norms Chart by Age and Sex (%)

Age Sex Percentile
5th 25th 50th 75th 95th
20-29 Male 8 12 17 22 30
Female 16 20 25 31 40
30-39 Male 10 14 19 24 32
Female 17 21 26 32 41
40-49 Male 12 16 21 26 34
Female 18 23 28 34 43
50-59 Male 13 17 22 27 35
Female 20 25 30 36 44
60-69 Male 14 18 23 28 35
Female 21 26 31 37 45
70-79 Male 14 18 23 28 35
Female 22 27 32 38 45
80+ Male 13 17 22 27 34
Female 21 26 31 37 44

What to expect by age group

Among US adults in their 30s, the middle 50% measure 14 to 24% body fat for men and 21 to 32% for women. Body fat increases gradually with age in both sexes, and female median body fat runs roughly 7 to 9 percentage points higher than male across the age brackets in this dataset. These percentiles reflect the US population, where obesity rates are among the highest globally, so norms skew higher than in most other countries. About a quarter of US men in their 30s measure below 14% body fat and about a quarter above 24%; for women the corresponding quartile values are 21% and 32%.

Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) by age group (%)
Age MalesFemales
20-29 12 to 2220 to 31
30-39 14 to 2421 to 32
40-49 16 to 2623 to 34
50-59 17 to 2725 to 36
60-69 18 to 2826 to 37
70-79 18 to 2827 to 38
80+ 17 to 2726 to 37

Detailed Breakdowns

Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts and distribution labels.

Males
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Females
20-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970-7980+
Age trend (percentiles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What body fat percentage is typical?

Typical depends on sex and age. Among US adults in their 30s, the median is about 19% for men and 26% for women, and the middle 50% spans roughly 14 to 24% for men and 21 to 32% for women. These figures describe where US adults fall, not a health target.

How is body fat percentage measured?

Methods include DEXA scans (most accurate), bioelectrical impedance scales, skinfold calipers, and hydrostatic weighing. Each has different accuracy levels.

Why does body fat percentage vary by sex?

Women naturally carry more essential fat for reproductive and hormonal functions. This biological difference is why female median body fat runs roughly 7 to 9 percentage points higher than male median body fat across the age brackets in this dataset.

Why do these percentiles seem high?

This data is from the US population, which has one of the highest obesity rates globally. Research shows Americans carry 5 to 10 percentage points more body fat than Swiss or other European populations at the same age and BMI. A body fat percentage at the US 50th percentile would likely fall well above the median in most European or East Asian countries.

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