FitCommit vs Skinfold Calipers: Which Is Better?

Last updated: February 13, 2026

The Verdict

Calipers can be accurate in the hands of a skilled tester, but results vary widely between practitioners. FitCommit provides more consistent results without needing another person to measure you. For self-tracking at home, FitCommit is the clear winner.

Quick Overview

Our App

FitCommit AI Body Scan

Good accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-5%

Cost$3.99/mo (unlimited)

Time60 seconds

WherePhone camera, anywhere

Skinfold Calipers

Moderate accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-8%

Cost$0-30

Time5-10 minutes

WhereHome, gyms, personal trainers

How Each Method Works

FitCommit AI Body Scan

Uses computer vision AI to analyze three photos (front, side, back) and estimate body fat percentage, lean mass, and body composition. Results in under 60 seconds.

Skinfold Calipers

A trained person pinches your skin at 3-7 specific body sites (chest, abdomen, thigh, etc.) and measures the thickness of the skinfold with calipers. The measurements are plugged into a formula (Jackson-Pollock or Durnin-Womersley) to estimate overall body fat percentage.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category	FitCommit	Calipers	Winner
Accuracy	Good (+/- 3-5%)	Moderate (+/- 3-8%)	FitCommit
Cost	$3.99/mo (unlimited)	$0-30	FitCommit
Convenience	Phone camera, anywhere	Home, gyms, personal trainers	FitCommit
Time Per Test	60 seconds	5-10 minutes	FitCommit
Tracking Frequency	Weekly or more	Monthly	FitCommit

Pros and Cons

FitCommit

Pros

✓Scan anytime from your phone. No appointments, no equipment.
✓Unlimited scans for $3.99/month. Track progress weekly.
✓Also calculates TDEE, macros, and transformation timelines.
✓Results include lean mass, not just body fat percentage.
✓Free 7-day trial to test accuracy before committing.

Cons

×Less accurate than clinical methods like DEXA or Bod Pod.
×Requires good lighting and consistent photo angles for best results.
×AI estimation, not direct measurement of tissue density.

Calipers

Pros

✓Very affordable. Buy calipers for $10-30 or get measured free at most gyms.
✓Good for tracking changes over time if the same person measures you.
✓No technology required. Simple mechanical tool.
✓Can be done at any gym or at home.

Cons

×Accuracy depends entirely on the skill of the person measuring.
×High variability between different testers (3-8% error range).
×Hard to self-administer. Need someone else to pinch and measure.
×Only measures subcutaneous fat, misses visceral (internal) fat.
×Formulas assume average fat distribution, which varies by individual.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose FitCommit if:

✓People who want to track body composition regularly without clinic visits.
✓Budget-conscious users who cannot afford $75-150 DEXA scans.
✓Anyone who wants body fat, TDEE, macros, and timelines in one app.

Choose Calipers if:

✓People with access to a skilled personal trainer who does regular measurements.
✓Budget-conscious individuals who want basic tracking.
✓Gym-goers who want a free estimate from staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else does FitCommit measure besides body fat?

FitCommit calculates lean mass, TDEE (using the Katch-McArdle formula from your lean mass), daily macro targets, and generates a transformation timeline. It also includes AI food scanning for macro tracking.

Is FitCommit accurate enough for bodybuilding prep?

FitCommit works well for tracking direction and rate of change during a prep. For stage-day precision (sub-1% accuracy), a DEXA scan closer to competition is recommended. Many competitors use FitCommit weekly and DEXA quarterly.

How does FitCommit calculate TDEE differently?

Most apps estimate TDEE from height, weight, age, and a generic activity multiplier. FitCommit measures your lean mass via body scan and uses the Katch-McArdle formula (BMR = 370 + 21.6 x lean mass in kg), which is more accurate because muscle tissue burns more calories than fat.

What do I need for a FitCommit body scan?

A smartphone camera, decent lighting, and form-fitting clothing (or minimal clothing). Take three photos: front, side, and back. The AI processes results in under 60 seconds. No special equipment or appointments needed.

Related Guides

Cutting Guide

6 deficit levels with timelines and calorie targets for fat loss phases

Bulking Guide

3 surplus levels with timelines and calorie targets for muscle gain phases

Weight Loss Timeline

Exact timelines for losing 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 pounds at different deficit levels

Calorie Guide

Understand deficit and surplus percentages with TDEE calculations

Get Your Body Fat Percentage in 60 Seconds

AI body scan from your phone camera. Body fat percentage, lean mass, TDEE, and macros. No equipment. No gym. Free 7-day trial.

Try FitCommit Free

FitCommit vs Skinfold Calipers: Which Is Better?

Last updated: February 13, 2026

The Verdict

Quick Overview

Our App

FitCommit AI Body Scan

Good accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-5%

Cost$3.99/mo (unlimited)

Time60 seconds

WherePhone camera, anywhere

Skinfold Calipers

Moderate accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-8%

Cost$0-30

Time5-10 minutes

WhereHome, gyms, personal trainers

How Each Method Works

FitCommit AI Body Scan

Uses computer vision AI to analyze three photos (front, side, back) and estimate body fat percentage, lean mass, and body composition. Results in under 60 seconds.

Skinfold Calipers

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category	FitCommit	Calipers	Winner
Accuracy	Good (+/- 3-5%)	Moderate (+/- 3-8%)	FitCommit
Cost	$3.99/mo (unlimited)	$0-30	FitCommit
Convenience	Phone camera, anywhere	Home, gyms, personal trainers	FitCommit
Time Per Test	60 seconds	5-10 minutes	FitCommit
Tracking Frequency	Weekly or more	Monthly	FitCommit

Pros and Cons

FitCommit

Pros

✓Scan anytime from your phone. No appointments, no equipment.
✓Unlimited scans for $3.99/month. Track progress weekly.
✓Also calculates TDEE, macros, and transformation timelines.
✓Results include lean mass, not just body fat percentage.
✓Free 7-day trial to test accuracy before committing.

Cons

×Less accurate than clinical methods like DEXA or Bod Pod.
×Requires good lighting and consistent photo angles for best results.
×AI estimation, not direct measurement of tissue density.

Calipers

Pros

✓Very affordable. Buy calipers for $10-30 or get measured free at most gyms.
✓Good for tracking changes over time if the same person measures you.
✓No technology required. Simple mechanical tool.
✓Can be done at any gym or at home.

Cons

×Accuracy depends entirely on the skill of the person measuring.
×High variability between different testers (3-8% error range).
×Hard to self-administer. Need someone else to pinch and measure.
×Only measures subcutaneous fat, misses visceral (internal) fat.
×Formulas assume average fat distribution, which varies by individual.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose FitCommit if:

✓People who want to track body composition regularly without clinic visits.
✓Budget-conscious users who cannot afford $75-150 DEXA scans.
✓Anyone who wants body fat, TDEE, macros, and timelines in one app.

Choose Calipers if:

✓People with access to a skilled personal trainer who does regular measurements.
✓Budget-conscious individuals who want basic tracking.
✓Gym-goers who want a free estimate from staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else does FitCommit measure besides body fat?

Is FitCommit accurate enough for bodybuilding prep?

How does FitCommit calculate TDEE differently?

What do I need for a FitCommit body scan?

Related Guides

Cutting Guide

6 deficit levels with timelines and calorie targets for fat loss phases

Bulking Guide

3 surplus levels with timelines and calorie targets for muscle gain phases

Weight Loss Timeline

Exact timelines for losing 5, 10, 20, 50, or 100 pounds at different deficit levels

Calorie Guide

Understand deficit and surplus percentages with TDEE calculations

Get Your Body Fat Percentage in 60 Seconds

AI body scan from your phone camera. Body fat percentage, lean mass, TDEE, and macros. No equipment. No gym. Free 7-day trial.

Try FitCommit Free