The Death of the Old Tape Test
For decades, the United States Army relied on a multi-site body circumference test that aggressively penalized highly muscular soldiers. Male soldiers were required to measure their neck and abdomen, while female soldiers measured their neck, waist, and hips. The glaring issue with this antiquated model was biological variance. If a male soldier possessed a naturally narrow neck but carried heavy muscle mass on his chest and legs, the old formula would inaccurately categorize him as obese.
In June 2023, following extensive research by the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) involving over 2,600 soldiers, the Army overhauled Army Regulation 600-9 (AR 600-9). The new protocol eliminated the neck and hip measurements entirely, transitioning to a streamlined, one-site abdominal tape test. This new formula is strictly calibrated to isolate dangerous visceral fat, making it faster to execute and significantly fairer for soldiers heavily invested in weight training.
Army vs. Navy Method
It is vital to explicitly clarify that the US Army and the US Navy no longer utilize the same body fat equations. If you are a civilian, fitness enthusiast, or Navy sailor attempting to calculate your body fat using neck measurements, you are in the wrong place.
The Navy continues to utilize the multi-site circumference method (neck, waist, and hips for women). The Army has abandoned that model in favor of the exclusive one-site abdominal pull. If you need the traditional multi-site calculation, utilize our Navy Body Fat Calculator instead.
How to Properly Tape Your Abdomen
The entire validity of the 2023 one-site test hinges on precise execution. Because the formula no longer uses a neck measurement to offset the abdominal data, a sloppy tape pull at the waist will instantly result in a failed assessment.
- The Landmark: The tape must be placed exactly at the level of the umbilicus (the belly button). It should be parallel to the floor across the entire torso.
- The Posture: Stand up straight with your arms at your sides. Do not suck in your stomach. Exhale normally. The measurement is taken at the end of a natural expiration. Sucking in will result in a restarted test by the commanding officer.
- The Triangulation: The commanding officer will take three separate measurements. The final recorded number is the mathematical average of those three pulls.
- The Rounding Rule: If the final average ends in a fraction, the Army rounds down to the nearest half-inch (e.g., 34.3 inches rounds down to 34.0 inches, while 34.6 inches rounds down to 34.5 inches).
The ACFT Exemption Explained
The most celebrated update to the 2023 AR 600-9 policy is the implementation of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) exemption. The Army recognized that heavily muscled soldiers, such as powerlifters and elite sprinters, often failed the initial screening weight tables due to their high lean mass.
If you score a massive 540 points or higher on the ACFT—with a strict minimum of 80 points across each of the six events—you are completely exempt from the body fat tape test. Your height and weight no longer matter. To fuel an ACFT score of 540+, you must ensure your dietary intake matches your physical output. Run your numbers through our TDEE Calculator to sustain your training volume, and use our Protein Calculator to ensure adequate muscle repair between heavy deadlift sessions.
What Happens if You Fail?
Failing the AR 600-9 tape test initiates immediate administrative action. You will be formally enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP). While enrolled in the ABCP, you are "flagged." This flag halts all favorable personnel actions. You cannot be promoted, you cannot reenlist, and you are barred from attending professional military education schools.
You will be required to meet with a registered dietitian and must demonstrate satisfactory progress (typically losing 3 to 8 pounds or 1% body fat per month) to remain in the military. However, there is a new failsafe. If you fail the one-site tape test, you now possess the right to request a clinical body composition scan. You can request assessment via a DXA scan, a Bod Pod, or an InBody 770 machine, provided your installation has the equipment available. The results of the clinical scan override the tape test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they still measure your neck for the Army tape test?
No. As of the June 2023 update to AR 600-9, the Army transitioned entirely to a one-site abdominal circumference test. Measuring the neck (for men) and hips (for women) is no longer authorized for official body fat assessments.
What is the maximum body fat for my age in the Army?
The maximum allowable body fat depends on your gender and age group. For males: 17-20 (20%), 21-27 (22%), 28-39 (24%), and 40+ (26%). For females: 17-20 (30%), 21-27 (32%), 28-39 (34%), and 40+ (36%).
Can I use the Army tape test if I'm not in the military?
Yes, civilians can absolutely use the Army one-site formula as a quick and reliable tracking metric for abdominal fat loss. However, it is a specialized regression equation designed for military demographics. For general civilians, the US Navy method is often preferred.
What happens if I suck in my stomach during the tape test?
Sucking in your stomach during an official AR 600-9 tape test is strictly prohibited. You must stand with a relaxed posture and exhale normally. If a commander catches you violently contracting your abdomen, they will restart the measurement process.
How does the ACFT exemption work for body fat?
Soldiers who score a 540 or higher on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), with a minimum of 80 points in each of the six events, are completely exempt from the body fat tape test. This policy protects highly muscular soldiers who fail height/weight standards due to heavy muscle mass rather than adiposity.
Is the Army one-site test more accurate than the old test?
According to the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), the new one-site formula provides a more accurate assessment of dangerous visceral fat and removes the inconsistencies that plagued the old neck-measuring technique.
What is the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP)?
The ABCP is a mandatory administrative program for soldiers who exceed their allowable body fat limits. While enrolled, soldiers are flagged, preventing them from promotions, reenlistments, or attending professional military schools until they meet the standard.
Can I request a DXA scan if I fail the tape test?
Yes. Under the new guidelines, if a soldier fails the initial tape test, they have the right to request a supplemental body composition assessment using a DXA (Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) scan, Bod Pod, or InBody 770 machine, provided the equipment is reasonably available at their installation.