Last updated: February 13, 2026
8 ways to measure body fat, from clinical DEXA scans to free tape measure methods. Compare accuracy, cost, convenience, and which method is right for your goals.
| Method | Type | Accuracy | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FitCommit* | App | +/- 3-5% | Unlimited scans included | 60 seconds |
| DEXA | Clinical | +/- 1-2% | $75-150 | 10-20 minutes |
| InBody | Gym | +/- 3-5% | $25-50 | 2-3 minutes |
| Bod Pod | Clinical | +/- 2-3% | $50-75 | 5-10 minutes |
| Hydrostatic | Clinical | +/- 2-3% | $50-100 | 15-30 minutes |
| Calipers | Gym | +/- 3-8% | $0-30 | 5-10 minutes |
| Navy Method | Home | +/- 3-5% | Free | 2-3 minutes |
| Smart Scales | Home | +/- 5-8% | $0 (after purchase) | 10 seconds |
See how FitCommit's AI body scan compares to each measurement method on accuracy, cost, convenience, and tracking frequency.
Gold standard accuracy (+/- 1-2%). $75-150 per test.
See full comparison →Good accuracy (+/- 3-5%). $25-50 per test.
See full comparison →Very good accuracy (+/- 2-3%). $50-75 per test.
See full comparison →Very good accuracy (+/- 2-3%). $50-100 per test.
See full comparison →Moderate accuracy (+/- 3-8%). $0-30 per test.
See full comparison →Rough accuracy (+/- 3-5%). Free per test.
See full comparison →Poor to moderate accuracy (+/- 5-8%). $0 (after purchase) per test.
See full comparison →Not sure which measurement method to use? Compare the most popular body fat testing methods head to head.
Want the full picture on one method? These guides cover cost, accuracy, and how to read the results, one method at a time.
A DEXA body composition scan costs $75-150 per visit in the US. Here is what drives the price, what you actually get, and cheaper ways to track body fat between scans.
Read the guide →InBody Scan: What It Is and How Accurate It IsAn InBody scan is a 60-second BIA body composition test found in many gyms. Here is how it works, how accurate it really is (plus or minus 3-5%), what it costs, and how to read the results.
Read the guide →Body Composition Analysis: How It Works and Which Method to UseBody composition analysis breaks your weight into fat, muscle, and water. Here is how every method works, from DEXA to AI body scans, how accurate each is, and which to use.
Read the guide →How to Test Body Fat at HomeYou can measure body fat at home with calipers, a tape measure (Navy method), a BIA smart scale, or an AI body scan. Here is how accurate each is and how to do it right.
Read the guide →Are Smart Scales Accurate for Body Fat?Smart scales estimate body fat with BIA and are off by about 5-8%. Here is why they are inaccurate, what they are actually good for, and a more reliable way to track body fat.
Read the guide →DEXA scan is the gold standard with +/- 1-2% accuracy. Bod Pod and hydrostatic weighing are close at +/- 2-3%. For home use, AI body scans like FitCommit offer good accuracy (+/- 3-5%) at a fraction of the cost.
Costs range from free (Navy method, tape measure) to $150 per scan (DEXA). InBody costs $25-50 per scan. FitCommit AI body scan is a monthly subscription with unlimited scans. Smart scales cost $30-100 one-time. The right choice depends on how often you want to test.
Yes. Home options include AI body scans (FitCommit, phone camera), smart scales (BIA), skinfold calipers, and the Navy method (tape measure). AI body scans offer the best accuracy among home methods. Smart scales are the easiest but least accurate.
Each method measures a different physical property (X-ray absorption, electrical resistance, skin thickness, visual appearance). These different proxies produce different estimates. The key is to use the same method consistently so you can track changes over time.
Every 2-4 weeks for most people. Body composition changes slowly, so daily testing adds noise. With convenient methods like FitCommit (a monthly subscription) or smart scales, weekly scans are fine. With expensive methods like DEXA ($75-150), quarterly is typical.
Deficit levels with timelines and calorie targets for fat loss
Build muscle and lose fat at the same time
Visual reference for every body fat percentage for men and women
Plan meal timing around training, eating windows, and macro targets
How many calories you need per day by age, gender, and activity
Realistic timelines for any weight loss goal
AI body scan from your phone camera. Get your body fat percentage, lean mass, TDEE, and macros in 60 seconds. No clinic. No equipment. Free trial.
Try FitCommit Free