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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% | $3.99/mo (unlimited) | 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.
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 costs $3.99/month for 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 affordable methods like FitCommit ($3.99/mo) or smart scales, weekly scans are fine. With expensive methods like DEXA ($75-150), quarterly is typical.
6 deficit levels with timelines and calorie targets for fat loss phases
3 surplus levels with timelines and calorie targets for muscle gain phases
Exact timelines for losing 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 pounds at different deficit levels
Understand deficit and surplus percentages with TDEE calculations
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 7-day trial.
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