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Last updated: February 13, 2026
DEXA is more accurate but less accessible and more expensive. Bod Pod is more practical for regular use. Choose DEXA for periodic precision testing and Bod Pod for ongoing tracking. For an alternative that balances both, FitCommit AI body scan offers good accuracy at $3.99/month from your phone.
Gold standard accuracy
Very good accuracy
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry uses two X-ray beams at different energy levels to measure bone mineral density, lean tissue, and fat tissue. You lie on a table for 10-20 minutes while the scanner passes over your body.
Air displacement plethysmography measures body volume by detecting changes in air pressure inside a sealed egg-shaped chamber. Combined with body weight, it calculates body density and estimates fat vs lean mass.
| Category | DEXA | Bod Pod | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Gold standard (+/- 1-2%) | Very good (+/- 2-3%) | DEXA |
| Cost | $75-150 | $50-75 | Tie |
| Convenience | Clinics and medical facilities only | Universities, sports labs, some clinics | Tie |
| Time Per Test | 10-20 minutes | 5-10 minutes | Tie |
| Tracking Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly | Tie |
FitCommit integrates body scanning, food tracking, and transformation preview into one system. AI body scan measures your composition. AI food camera logs nutrition. After Photo shows your future body. All from your phone.
Try it free →Try all these methods in one app
AI body scan, food tracking, and transformation preview. One system.
FitCommit measures body fat from your phone camera in 60 seconds. No clinic visits, no equipment, no appointments. Good accuracy (+/- 3-5%) at $3.99/month for unlimited scans. Also calculates TDEE, macros, and transformation timelines.
Try FitCommit FreeThe Navy method (tape measure) is free. Skinfold calipers cost $10-30 once. Smart scales cost $30-100 once. FitCommit costs $3.99/month. Clinical methods cost $25-150 per scan. The cheapest accurate option depends on whether you value precision or just need a trend.
BIA scales measure something real (electrical impedance), but the conversion to body fat percentage is inaccurate, often off by 5-8%. They are better at tracking weight than body fat. If you use one, test at the same time daily and look at weekly averages, not individual readings.
DEXA scan is the gold standard (+/- 1-2%). Bod Pod and hydrostatic weighing are close (+/- 2-3%). InBody and AI scans are good for tracking (+/- 3-5%). Calipers depend on the tester (+/- 3-8%). Home BIA scales are the least accurate (+/- 5-8%).
Each method measures a different proxy for body fat. DEXA uses X-rays, BIA measures electrical resistance, calipers measure skin thickness, and AI analyzes visual appearance. They all estimate body fat through different physical properties, which produces different numbers.
Deficit levels with timelines and calorie targets for fat loss
Surplus levels with timelines and calorie targets for muscle gain
Build muscle and lose fat at the same time
Visual reference for every body fat percentage for men and women
Fasting schedules and how they affect fat loss at different body fat levels
Timelines for losing 5 to 100 pounds at different deficit levels
AI body scan from your phone camera. Body fat percentage, lean mass, TDEE, and macros. No equipment. No gym. Free 1-month trial.
Try FitCommit Free