Relative Fat Mass (RFM) is a new formula developed in 2018 to estimate your body fat percentage based on your height and waist circumference alone. It is an alternative to BMI which takes into account waist circumference, the area where excess fat tends to accumulate.
With a simple measuring tape you can get a reasonable estimate of your body fat percentage.
What is Relative Fat Mass?
The Relative Fat Mass formula is based on the ratio of height to waist circumference. There are different formulas for men and women because body fat distribution varies between the genders.
RFM was tested against DEXA scans (which are the most accurate way to measure body fat) and was correct in about 80% of the cases. For comparison, BMI only got it right 40% of the time.
RFM Categories
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | < 10% | < 18% |
| Athletic | 10-20% | 18-28% |
| Fitness | 20-25% | 28-32% |
| Average | 25-30% | 32-40% |
| Obese | > 30% | > 40% |
Why is RFM Important?
Body fat percentage is more indicative of your health than body weight alone, and RFM provides a quick way to estimate it without needing any special equipment. If you are concerned about your body fat percentage, consider getting a more accurate measurement.
For more body composition tools, try our body fat calculator or Body Roundness Index calculator.