Body Adiposity Index (BAI) Calculator
Estimated body fat percentage from hip circumference and height alone, and the fat and fat-free mass it implies for your weight.
Results
What this tool does
The body adiposity index was published by Richard Bergman and colleagues in the journal Obesity in 2011 as a way to estimate body fat with nothing but a tape measure, since it needs no scale. It was derived in Mexican-American adults and checked against DXA scans in African-American adults. Later studies found it is not more accurate than BMI for many groups, and that it tends to overestimate fat in lean people and underestimate it in people with a lot of fat, so treat the number as a rough guide and follow changes over time rather than a single value. Measure the hips at the widest point of the buttocks, with the tape level.
Formula
BAI = hip circumference (cm) ÷ height (m)^1.5 − 18
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
hp | Hip circumference (widest point) | cm |
ht | Height | cm |
w | Weight | kg |
BA | Body adiposity index (estimated body fat) | % |
FM | Fat mass | kg |
LM | Fat-free mass | kg |
Worked example
- Hip circumference (widest point)100 cm
- Height170 cm
- Weight70 kg
- Body adiposity index (estimated body fat)27.1 %
- Fat mass19.0 kg
- Fat-free mass51.0 kg
Limitations
- This tool is informational only. It does not diagnose, treat or replace a qualified health professional. Speak to a doctor before making decisions about your health.
- The result is an estimate based only on the values you type. Real situations often include factors this calculator does not know about.