Relative Fat Mass Calculator (RFM)
Measure your RFM percentage and Estimate Body Fat using Height and Waist Dimensions
Formula to calculate RFM For Men and Women
- MEN: RFM = 64 – (20 x height/waist circumference)
- WOMEN: RFM = 76 – (20 x height/waist circumference)
- UNIFIED formula RFM = 64 − (20 × (Height ÷ Waist) ) + (12 × Gender) Gender = 0 for male and 1 for female.
RFM Fat Level(%) Analysis Table for men and Women
| Interpretation | Fat Level Men(%) | Fat Level Women(%) |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely low level of fat | < 2 | 10 |
| Essential fat | 2-5 | 10-13 |
| Athletes | 6-13 | 14-20 |
| Fitness | 14-17 | 20-24 |
| Average | 18-24 | 25-31 |
| Obese | 25+ | 32+ |
All you need to know about RFM or Relative Fat Mass
- RFM (Relative Fat Mass) is a relatively new method for
assessing body fat percentage
that was developed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2018. - RFM takes into account
height and waist circumference to estimate body fat percentage
, making it a potentially more accurate and accessible alternative to other methods such as body mass index (BMI) or skinfold measurements. - Unlike BMI, which uses weight and height, RFM takes into account waist circumference, which is a better indicator of visceral fat or fat around the organs, which is associated with health risks.
- The
formula for calculating RFM is RFM = (waist circumference / (0.082 * height)) – 64
. In this formula, waist circumference is measured in centimeters, and height is measured in meters. - RFM has been shown to be a useful tool for assessing body fat percentage across different populations, including children, adults, and older adults.
- RFM has the advantage of being easily calculated using simple measurements that can be taken at home or in a clinical setting, without the need for specialized equipment or trained professionals.
- The RFM method has been validated against more accurate measures of body fat percentage, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and has shown good correlation and accuracy.
- RFM has the potential to be a more inclusive measure of body fat percentage, as it does not rely on assumptions based on age, gender, or ethnicity, which can introduce biases in other methods.
- RFM is still being researched and refined, and more studies are needed to further validate its accuracy and applicability in different populations and health conditions.
- The development of RFM highlights the ongoing efforts to
improve body fat assessment methods
and promote a more comprehensive understanding of body composition and its impact on health.
Recommended Waist to Height RFM Chart
This is only an indicative reference and calculated using RFM Fitness Level Range (which is 14 - 17% for men and 20 - 24% for women)
| Height (ft-in / cms) | Height (cm / m) | Waist (in/cm) Male | Waist (in/cm) Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ft 10 in / 34 in | 86 cm / 0.86 m | 14 in / 36 cm | 12 in / 32 cm |
| 3 ft 1 in / 37 in | 94 cm / 0.94 m | 15 in / 40 cm | 13 in / 35 cm |
| 3 ft 2 in / 37 in | 97 cm / 0.97 m | 16 in / 41 cm | 14 in / 36 cm |
| 3 ft 5 in / 41 in | 104 cm / 1 m | 17 in / 44 cm | 15 in / 39 cm |
| 4 ft 6 in / 54 in | 137 cm / 1.37 m | 23 in / 59 cm | 20 in / 52 cm |
| 4 ft 10 in / 58 in | 147 cm / 1.47 m | 24 in / 63 cm | 21 in / 55 cm |
| 4 ft 11 in / 59 in | 150 cm / 1.5 m | 25 in / 64 cm | 22 in / 56 cm |
| 5 ft / 60 in | 152 cm / 1.52 m | in 26 / 66 cm | 22.4 in / 57 cm |
| 5 ft 1 in / 61 in | 155 cm / 1.55 m | 26.4 in / 67 cm | 22.8 in / 58 cm |
| 5 ft 2 in / 62 in | 157 cm / 1.57 m | 26.7 in / 68 cm | 23 in / 59 cm |
| 5 ft 3 in / 63 in | 160 cm / 1.6 m | 27 in / 69 cm | 23.6 in / 60 cm |
| 5 ft 4 in / 64 in | 163 cm / 1.63 m | 27.5 in / 70 cm | 24 in / 61 cm |
| 5 ft 5 in / 65 in | 165 cm / 1.65 m | 27.9 in / 71 cm | 24.4 in / 62 cm |
| 5 ft 6 in / 66 in | 168 cm / 1.68 m | 28 in / 72 cm | 24.8 in / 63 cm |
| 5 ft 7 in / 67 in | 170 cm / 1.7 m | 28.7 in / 73 cm | 25 in / 64 cm |
| 5 ft 8 in / 68 in | 173 cm / 1.73 m | 29 in / 74 cm | 25.5 in / 65 cm |
| 5 ft 9 in / 69 in | 175 cm / 1.75 m | 29.9 in / 76 cm | 25.9 in / 66 cm |
| 5 ft 10 in / 70 in | 178 cm / 1.78 m | 30.3 in / 77 cm | 26 in / 67 cm |
| 5 ft 11 in / 71 in | 180 cm / 1.8 m | 30.7 in / 78 cm | 26.7 in / 68 cm |
| 6 ft / 72 in | 183 cm / 1.83 m | 31 in / 79 cm | 27 in / 69 cm |
| 6 ft 1 in / 73 in | 185 cm / 1.85 m | 31.4 in / 80 cm | 27.5 in / 70 cm |
| 6 ft 2 in / 74 in | 188 cm / 1.88 m | 31.8 in / 81 cm | 27.9 in / 71 cm |
| 6 ft 3 in / 75 in | 191 cm / 1.91 m | 32 in / 82 cm | 28 in / 72 cm |
| 6 ft 4 in / 76 in | 193 cm / 1.93 m | 32.6 in / 83 cm | 28.7 in / 73 cm |
| 6 ft 5 in / 77 in | 196 cm / 1.96 m | 33 in / 85 cm | 29 in / 74 cm |
| 6 ft 6 in / 78 in | 198 cm / 1.98 m | 33.8 in / 86 cm | 29.5 in / 75 cm |
| 6 ft 7 in / 79 in | 201 cm / 2.01 m | 34 in / 87 cm | 29.9 in / 76 cm |
| 6 ft 8 in / 80 in | 203 cm / 2.03 m | 34.6 in / 88 cm | 30 in / 77 cm |
| 6 ft 9 in / 81 in | 206 cm / 2.06 m | 35 in / 89 cm | 30.7 in / 78 cm |
| 6 ft 10 in / 82 in | 208 cm / 2.08 m | 35.4 in / 90 cm | 31 in / 79 cm |
| 6 ft 11 in / 83 in | 211 cm / 2.1 m | 35.8 in / 91 cm | 31.4 in / 80 cm |
Frequently Asked Questions on Relative Fat Mass Calculator
RFM stands for Relative Fat mass. It predicts the percentage of fat using waist and hip dimensions
RFM stands for Relative Fat mass. It predicts the percentage of fat using waist and hip dimensions
There are many scientific studies and research that have been conducted across different age groups to determine which is more accurate. Most agree that RFM predicts the body fat (BF) more accurately than BMI.
There are many scientific studies and research that have been conducted across different age groups to determine which is more accurate. Most agree that RFM predicts the body fat (BF) more accurately than BMI.
It uses the height and waist circumference as the base measures and then the following equation is used. The equation changes based on gender. Male: 64 – (20 x height/waist circumference). Female: 76 – (20 x height/waist circumference). Unified formula. RFM = 64 − (20 × (Height ÷ Waist) ) + (12 × Gender). Gender = 0 for male and 1 for female. Height in meters and Waist circumference in meters. We can use feet/inches or cms but height and waist should use same unit.
It uses the height and waist circumference as the base measures and then the following equation is used. The equation changes based on gender. Male: 64 – (20 x height/waist circumference). Female: 76 – (20 x height/waist circumference). Unified formula. RFM = 64 − (20 × (Height ÷ Waist) ) + (12 × Gender). Gender = 0 for male and 1 for female. Height in meters and Waist circumference in meters. We can use feet/inches or cms but height and waist should use same unit.
By measuring body fat with your height and waist, it can forewarn on potential health risks. This is also a useful tracker for those trying to shed weight or gain weight and lets them know if they are on track and when to stop.
By measuring body fat with your height and waist, it can forewarn on potential health risks. This is also a useful tracker for those trying to shed weight or gain weight and lets them know if they are on track and when to stop.
By using height and waist dimensions that are easily measurable, we can monitor our body fat % from time to time. This will alert us whenever we are in threshold of over weight/ obese category. Corrective measures can be taken immediately. A high fat mass percentage RFM can lead to diabetes and heart / cardio vascular diseases and other medical conditions.
By using height and waist dimensions that are easily measurable, we can monitor our body fat % from time to time. This will alert us whenever we are in threshold of over weight/ obese category. Corrective measures can be taken immediately. A high fat mass percentage RFM can lead to diabetes and heart / cardio vascular diseases and other medical conditions.
If RFM % is greater than 35% in Women and 25% in Men, then they are considered as Obese.
If RFM % is greater than 35% in Women and 25% in Men, then they are considered as Obese.
For men, in the range 6-25%. For women, in the range 15-30%
For men, in the range 6-25%. For women, in the range 15-30%
It indicates less fat / adipose tissue in the body. Fat is potential energy stored by the body. It also keeps the body warm. Low fat can also lead to issues such as low energy, skin , eye problems, cell growth inhibition and so on... Low RFM is < 5% in men and < 10% in women.
It indicates less fat / adipose tissue in the body. Fat is potential energy stored by the body. It also keeps the body warm. Low fat can also lead to issues such as low energy, skin , eye problems, cell growth inhibition and so on... Low RFM is < 5% in men and < 10% in women.
It is mostly used for adults age group > 20. It has not been proven yet for those below 20 (children and adolescents).
It is mostly used for adults age group > 20. It has not been proven yet for those below 20 (children and adolescents).
Dr. Woolcott and Dr. Richard Bergman in the year 2018. They are part of Spectacular Diabetes and Obesity Wellness and Research Center (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA).
Dr. Woolcott and Dr. Richard Bergman in the year 2018. They are part of Spectacular Diabetes and Obesity Wellness and Research Center (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, USA).
Yes, Adipose cells/ tissue is referred to as body fat. They store fat as globules. They are distributed in different parts of the body - skin (subcutaneous layer), around internal organs and other parts.
Yes, Adipose cells/ tissue is referred to as body fat. They store fat as globules. They are distributed in different parts of the body - skin (subcutaneous layer), around internal organs and other parts.
By burning energy / calories by doing physical activities which increase heart rate.
By burning energy / calories by doing physical activities which increase heart rate.
a. If your weight is 150 lbs and RFM 25%, then it means you have 37.5 Lbs of fat. b. If you are weight is 100 kgs and RFM 40%, then you carry 40 kgs of fat (over 88 lbs of Fat)
a. If your weight is 150 lbs and RFM 25%, then it means you have 37.5 Lbs of fat. b. If you are weight is 100 kgs and RFM 40%, then you carry 40 kgs of fat (over 88 lbs of Fat)
1 kg of fat or 2.2 lbs of fat is 7700 calories. 1 hour of activity depending on type of physical activity can burn in the range of 200-800 calories per hour.
1 kg of fat or 2.2 lbs of fat is 7700 calories. 1 hour of activity depending on type of physical activity can burn in the range of 200-800 calories per hour.
