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People don't usually know that there is actually more to how much you weigh on a scale.

Many consider the scale as the best tool to measure the amount of weight gained or lost. But being overweight and *over fat* is definitely not the same. Being *overweight* usually refers to the excess of total body weight as compared to your height and body frame. Being *over fat* however, is completely different and is defined as the excess of body fat, regardless of the person's weight.

Did you know that *skinny* people can still have a high percentage of body fat?

So, what is a body fat calculator, and just how do you use it?

Your body fat percentage is an average of the total percentage of fat your body carries.

For instance, if your total body weight is 200 pounds, and you have 20 pounds of fat, your body fat percentage would be about 10 percent.

There are plenty of methods you can use to measure your body fat. Some of them would include the use of skin fold calipers, and home body fat scales. Skin fold calipers are devices that look like giant tweezers and are used to hold on to your skin at different specific points on your body. They are designed to measure the thickness of your skin folds at these strategic points. After you write down the measurements you can use a standard chart that is usually provided when you buy the skin fold calipers to find out what percentage of body fat you have.

Home body fat scales are able to measure your body fat percentage quickly. These scales operate by passing a low level current through the body and the impedance is measured. These are not always very accurate, so always use them with caution.
And of course, there is also the body fat calculator. Definitely handy for those math whizzes out there!

You can use this *sleek* method:

For Women:

%BF = 495/(1.29579-0.35004(log(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(log(height)))-450

For Men:

%BF = 495/(1.0324-0.19077(log(waist-neck))+0.15456(log(height)))-450

Otherwise, you can use the Body Mass Index (BMI) to estimate whether you fall into a healthy range.

Here is a mathematical way to calculate your BMI:

Write down how much you weigh (in pounds). Then, simply multiply your weight by 703.

Then, write down your height (in inches) and multiply by 703. Next, divide your weight number by your height number. That will be your BMI.

Based on your final product you measured, you now have your BMI.

It is estimated that for both men and women, a healthy BMI range should be from 18.6-24.8.

This is just one method that will give you a rough idea of where you are.

BMI is not the best indicator of overall health, and it does not give you your body fat percentage. In fact a lot of professional bodybuilders with very low percentages of fat still rank high on the BMI just because their muscle weighs so much.

Also keep in mind, there is no such thing as a perfect body fact percentage. Your gender and age affect the body fat percentage greatly.

Some people might do well with a lower body fat percentage, while others may do better at slightly higher percentages.

It is highly advised to give your doctor a visit to best find what the ideal body fat percentage is best for you.