Body Fat Caliper Measurement Sites - Female

Chest - Diagonal fold, one third of the way between upper armpit and nipple

Midaxillary - Horizontal fold, directly below armpit

Bicep - Vertical fold, halfway between shoulder and elbow, directly on bicep

Abdominal - Vertical fold, one inch to the right of navel

Suprailiac - Diagonal fold, directly above iliac crest

Thigh- Vertical fold, midway between knee cap and top of thigh

Calf - Vertical fold, inside of leg on largest part of calf

Subscapular - Diagonal fold, directly below shoulder blade

Tricep - Vertical fold, midway between elbow and shoulder

Lower Back - Horizontal fold, directly over the kidneys, and 2 inches to the right of spine

Body Fat Caliper Procedures

• 1.) All measurement should be made on the right side of the body
• 2.) Caliper should be placed 1 cm away from thumb and finger, perpendicular to skinfold, and halfway between crest and base of fold
• 3.) Pinch should be maintained while reading the caliper
• 4.) Wait 1 to 2 s (and not longer) before reading caliper
• 5.) Take duplicate measures at each site and retest if duplicate measurements are not within 1 to 2 mm
• 6.) Rotate through measurement sites or allow time for skin to regain normal texture and thickness

Source: American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM's Guidelines For Exercise Testing and Prescription. 6th Edition. USA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2000.