Skinfold Measurement

The skinfold measurement test is one common method of determining a person's body composition and body fat percentage.  This test estimates the percentage of body fat by measuring skinfold thickness at specific locations on the body. The right side is usually only measured (for consistency).

The tester pinches the skin at the appropriate site to raise a double layer of skin and the underlying adipose tissue, but not the muscle. Special skinfold calipers are then used to measure the skinfold thickness in millimeters. Two measurements are recorded and averaged. If the two measurements differ greatly, a third should then be done, then the median value taken.

The reliability of skinfold measurements can vary from tester to tester depending on their skill and experience. For this reason, it's important to find a qualified expert if you have a skinfold measurement done.

The measurement sites vary depending upon the specific skinfold testing protocol being used, but typically include the following seven locations on the body:

• Triceps - The back of the upper arm
• Subscapula - Beneath the edge of the shoulder blade
• Pectoral - The mid-chest, just forward of the armpit
• Midaxilla - Midline of the side of the torso
• Abdomen - Next to the belly button
• Suprailiac - Just above the iliac crest of the hip bone
• Quadriceps - Middle of the upper thigh

Formula For Calculating Percent Body Fat from Skinfold Measurements

There are as many different formulas and calculations as there are many ways to measure skinfold thickness. The easiest way to calculate the percent of body fat is to use a software program. Here is one of the online bady fat calculator: Body Fat Calculator