Body Adiposity Index Calculator
Estimates body fat using only a tape measure and your height.
Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.
The formula
BAI = hip in cm ÷ (height in m)^1.5 − 18
The result is read as an estimate of body fat percentage.
What to watch out for
Bergman and colleagues published the index in 2011. They built it on Mexican American adults, using DXA scans as the reference, and tested it in African American adults. Its performance has not been consistent in other populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 100 cm hips at 170 cm give?
27.1%.
Why use it instead of BMI?
It needs no scales and gives a body fat estimate rather than a weight-for-height figure. It is not known to predict health better.
Does it work the same for men and women?
The formula makes no allowance for sex, and studies have found it can miss by different amounts for men and women. Read it with that in mind.