{"id":57298,"date":"2015-12-28T19:56:40","date_gmt":"2015-05-11T09:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wpcalc.com\/?p=57298"},"modified":"2026-09-27T16:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T13:46:16","slug":"3-point-skin-fold-bodyfat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/3-point-skin-fold-bodyfat\/","title":{"rendered":"3-Point Skin Fold Bodyfat"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Jackson-Pollock Skinfold Calculator<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"57298\" data-favorite-title=\"3-Point Body Fat\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/3-point-skin-fold-bodyfat\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Estimate body fat percentage and lean body mass from your age, weight, and pectoral, abdominal, and thigh skinfold measurements. Enter each skinfold thickness in millimeters.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-appearance\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/3-point-skin-fold-bodyfat\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-57298\" data-post=\"57298\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Unit system<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-1\" name=\"unit_system\"><option value=\"metric\">Metric<\/option><option value=\"english\">English<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-2\"><label for=\"field-2\">Gender<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-2\" name=\"gender\"><option value=\"male\">Men<\/option><option value=\"female\">Women<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Age<\/label><div class=\"term\">A<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"age\" id=\"field-3\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-3\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"10\" value=\"25\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-3\">years<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-4\"><label for=\"field-4\">Weight<\/label><div class=\"term\">W<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"weight\" id=\"field-4\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-4 calc-info-4\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"70\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-4\">kg<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-4\">Enter your body weight<\/small><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-5\"><label for=\"field-5\">Pectoral fold<\/label><div class=\"term\">P<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"pectoral_fold\" id=\"field-5\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-5\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"12\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-5\">mm<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-6\"><label for=\"field-6\">Abdominal fold<\/label><div class=\"term\">A<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"abdominal_fold\" id=\"field-6\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-6\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"20\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-6\">mm<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field has-term\" id=\"input-7\"><label for=\"field-7\">Thigh fold<\/label><div class=\"term\">T<\/div>  <div class=\"absolute bottom-0 left-16 top-8 w-2 h-0.5 bg-blue-500\"><\/div><input type=\"text\" name=\"thigh_fold\" id=\"field-7\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-7\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"18\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-7\">mm<\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"57298\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Your Results<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Body Fat Percentage<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\" data-unit=\"%\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Lean Body Mass<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\" data-unit=\"kg\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"57298\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">1<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"disappointed\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"disappointed\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude1e <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Disappointed <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"inaccurate\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"inaccurate\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u274c <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Inaccurate <\/span><\/button><\/div><div id=\"reaction-message\" class=\"hidden mt-8 rounded-md border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>3-Point Body Fat Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[S=P+A+T\\]\n\\[D=\\begin{cases}1.10938-0.0008267S+0.0000016S^2-0.0002574a,&amp;\\text{Men}\\\\1.0994921-0.0009929S+0.0000023S^2-0.0001392a,&amp;\\text{Women}\\end{cases}\\]\n\\[F=\\frac{495}{D}-450\\qquad L=W\\left(1-\\frac{F}{100}\\right)\\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(P\\), \\(A\\), and \\(T\\) \u2014 pectoral, abdominal, and thigh skinfold thicknesses (mm)<\/li>\n<li>\\(S\\) \u2014 sum of the three skinfolds (mm)<\/li>\n<li>\\(a\\) \u2014 age (years)<\/li>\n<li>\\(D\\) \u2014 estimated body density (g\/cm\u00b3)<\/li>\n<li>\\(F\\) \u2014 estimated body fat percentage (%)<\/li>\n<li>\\(W\\) \u2014 body weight (kg or lb); \\(L\\) \u2014 lean body mass in the same unit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The calculator estimates body density from the skinfold sum and age, then converts density to body fat percentage using the Siri equation. Lean body mass is body weight minus estimated fat mass.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>3-Point Body Fat \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> a 25-year-old man weighs 70 kg. His pectoral, abdominal, and thigh skinfolds measure 12 mm, 20 mm, and 18 mm.<\/p>\n<p>\\[S=12+20+18=50\\text{ mm}\\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[D=1.10938-0.0008267(50)+0.0000016(50)^2-0.0002574(25)=1.06561\\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[F=\\frac{495}{1.06561}-450\\approx14.52\\%\\]<\/p>\n<p>\\[L=70\\left(1-\\frac{14.52}{100}\\right)\\approx59.83\\text{ kg}\\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> approximately 14.52% body fat and 59.83 kg of lean body mass. The lean-mass result uses the unrounded body fat estimate.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to use the calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Choose <strong>Unit system<\/strong>: Metric for a weight in kilograms or English for a weight in pounds. Skinfold measurements remain in millimeters either way.<\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Gender<\/strong> (Men or Women) to choose the corresponding body-density equation.<\/li>\n<li>Enter your <strong>Age<\/strong> in years and <strong>Weight<\/strong> in the unit you selected.<\/li>\n<li>Use skinfold calipers to measure your <strong>Pectoral fold<\/strong>, <strong>Abdominal fold<\/strong>, and <strong>Thigh fold<\/strong>. Enter each measurement in millimeters.<\/li>\n<li>Read <strong>Body Fat Percentage<\/strong> and <strong>Lean Body Mass<\/strong> in the results. Lean body mass is shown in kilograms for Metric or pounds for English.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>What a 3-point skinfold result means<\/h2>\n<p>A skinfold caliper measures the thickness of a pinch of skin and underlying fat. This calculator adds three measurements, uses the sum and your age to estimate body density, and converts that density into an estimated body fat percentage. For example, a result of 14.52% means the method estimates that about 14.52% of total body weight is fat. It is an estimate, not a direct measurement of all body fat.<\/p>\n<p>Lean body mass is everything other than estimated fat mass, including muscle, bone, organs, and water. It is <em>not<\/em> the same as muscle mass. Because the lean-mass calculation uses your body fat estimate, any error in the skinfold measurements also affects the lean-mass result. If you want to use that estimate in an energy-needs calculation, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/katch-mcardle-bmr\/\">Katch-McArdle BMR calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Repeated measurements can help you observe a trend, particularly when the same person measures the same sites with the same calipers. A small change in the displayed percentage may reflect measurement variation rather than a real change in body composition. For a different approach, compare results with a <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/circumference-bodyfat\/\">circumference-based body fat calculator<\/a> or explore other methods with the <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/beauty\/body-fat\/\">body fat calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Measurement tips and limitations<\/h2>\n<p>Measure on the same side of the body each time and follow a consistent anatomical-site protocol. Grasp the skinfold firmly, place the caliper jaws beside your fingers rather than on them, and read the caliper after its pressure has settled. Take several readings at each site and use a consistent summary, such as their average. Avoid measuring immediately after exercise, when shifts in fluid and blood flow may affect readings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Important for women:<\/strong> this calculator applies the women\u2019s equation to the pectoral, abdominal, and thigh fields. The commonly published Jackson\u2013Pollock three-site protocol for women instead uses triceps, suprailiac, and thigh measurements. Those sites are not interchangeable. As a result, the women\u2019s output here should not be treated as a validated estimate from the standard women\u2019s three-site protocol; use a tool with the correct site fields if you need that method.<\/p>\n<p>Skinfold equations and the body-density conversion rely on population-based assumptions. Results can vary with the measurer\u2019s technique, caliper quality, fat distribution, and individual body composition. The form accepts ages from 10 years, but these adult-oriented equations should not be relied on for children or adolescents. The English setting changes the lean-mass unit shown; it does not convert the number entered for Weight, so enter pounds when using English even if the field still displays \u201ckg.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimate body fat percentage and lean body mass from your age, weight, and pectoral, abdominal, and thigh skinfold measurements. Enter each skinfold thickness in millimeters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-57298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beauty","tag-appearance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57298"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65189,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57298\/revisions\/65189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57298"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}