InBody (BIA Machine) vs Skinfold Calipers: Which Is Better?

Last updated: February 13, 2026

The Verdict

InBody is more accurate but less accessible and more expensive. Calipers is more practical for regular use. Choose InBody for periodic precision testing and Calipers for ongoing tracking. For an alternative that balances both, FitCommit AI body scan offers good accuracy at $3.99/month from your phone.

Quick Overview

InBody (BIA Machine)

Good accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-5%

Cost$25-50

Time2-3 minutes

WhereGyms, clinics, wellness centers

Skinfold Calipers

Moderate accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-8%

Cost$0-30

Time5-10 minutes

WhereHome, gyms, personal trainers

How Each Method Works

InBody (BIA Machine)

InBody uses bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) by sending small electrical currents through your body via hand and foot electrodes. It measures resistance to estimate water content, lean mass, and fat mass across different body segments.

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	InBody	Calipers	Winner
Accuracy	Good (+/- 3-5%)	Moderate (+/- 3-8%)	InBody
Cost	$25-50	$0-30	Tie
Convenience	Gyms, clinics, wellness centers	Home, gyms, personal trainers	Tie
Time Per Test	2-3 minutes	5-10 minutes	Tie
Tracking Frequency	Monthly	Monthly	Tie

Pros and Cons

InBody

Pros

✓Quick scan (under 3 minutes) with detailed segmental analysis.
✓Available at many commercial gyms and wellness centers.
✓Measures muscle mass distribution across arms, legs, and trunk.
✓No radiation. Completely non-invasive.
✓Provides a detailed printed report.

Cons

×Accuracy heavily affected by hydration, food intake, and exercise.
×$25-50 per scan adds up for regular tracking.
×Not available everywhere. Requires a gym or clinic with an InBody machine.
×BIA technology has inherent limitations for very lean or very obese individuals.
×Results can swing 2-3% based on when you ate or drank water.

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 InBody if:

✓Gym members whose facility has an InBody machine.
✓People who want segmental muscle analysis (arms, legs, trunk).
✓Monthly or quarterly check-ins as part of a gym membership.

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.

Want an Easier Option?

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 Free

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does body fat testing cost over a year?

DEXA: $300-600 for quarterly scans. InBody: $100-200 for monthly scans. FitCommit: $47.88 for unlimited scans. Calipers: $10-30 one-time. Navy method: free. Smart scales: $30-100 one-time. Cost should match how often you need to test.

Can I trust home body fat measurements?

Home methods (smart scales, navy method, calipers) are less accurate than clinical methods. But they are useful for tracking trends if you test consistently at the same time, same conditions. Do not obsess over the absolute number. Watch the direction.

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

Every 3-6 months for most people. More frequently is expensive and unnecessary since body composition changes slowly. Use a cheaper method (like FitCommit or calipers) for monthly tracking, then validate with DEXA quarterly.

What is the cheapest way to measure body fat?

The 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.

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

InBody (BIA Machine) vs Skinfold Calipers: Which Is Better?

Last updated: February 13, 2026

The Verdict

Quick Overview

InBody (BIA Machine)

Good accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-5%

Cost$25-50

Time2-3 minutes

WhereGyms, clinics, wellness centers

Skinfold Calipers

Moderate accuracy

Accuracy+/- 3-8%

Cost$0-30

Time5-10 minutes

WhereHome, gyms, personal trainers

How Each Method Works

InBody (BIA Machine)

Skinfold Calipers

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category	InBody	Calipers	Winner
Accuracy	Good (+/- 3-5%)	Moderate (+/- 3-8%)	InBody
Cost	$25-50	$0-30	Tie
Convenience	Gyms, clinics, wellness centers	Home, gyms, personal trainers	Tie
Time Per Test	2-3 minutes	5-10 minutes	Tie
Tracking Frequency	Monthly	Monthly	Tie

Pros and Cons

InBody

Pros

✓Quick scan (under 3 minutes) with detailed segmental analysis.
✓Available at many commercial gyms and wellness centers.
✓Measures muscle mass distribution across arms, legs, and trunk.
✓No radiation. Completely non-invasive.
✓Provides a detailed printed report.

Cons

×Accuracy heavily affected by hydration, food intake, and exercise.
×$25-50 per scan adds up for regular tracking.
×Not available everywhere. Requires a gym or clinic with an InBody machine.
×BIA technology has inherent limitations for very lean or very obese individuals.
×Results can swing 2-3% based on when you ate or drank water.

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 InBody if:

✓Gym members whose facility has an InBody machine.
✓People who want segmental muscle analysis (arms, legs, trunk).
✓Monthly or quarterly check-ins as part of a gym membership.

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.

Want an Easier Option?

Try FitCommit Free

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does body fat testing cost over a year?

Can I trust home body fat measurements?

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

What is the cheapest way to measure body fat?

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