Lean Body Mass Calculator

Calculate your lean body mass using the Boer, James, and Hume formulas.

Lean body mass estimates are approximate and do not replace professional assessment.

Metric & imperial supportBody composition estimateReviewed for accuracy

Lean body mass calculator

Estimate lean body mass using body-fat or formula-based methods.

Unit system
Sex estimate

Body fat percentage gives a more direct estimate when available.

Lean body mass includes muscle, bone, organs, water, and other non-fat tissue.
Formula-based estimates are population-based and may not fit everyone.
Estimates should be used as broad context, not diagnosis.

Estimated lean body mass

64.0 kg

Approximate lean body mass based on entered values.

Estimated fat mass

16.0 kg

Lean mass percentage

80.0%

Method used

Body fat percentage method

Uses standard lean body mass estimation formulas. Reviewed for accuracy. Estimate only. Does not replace medical, dietetic, or professional fitness advice.

Personalized interpretation

Your estimated lean body mass is 64.0 kg.

Lean body mass includes muscle, bone, organs, water, and other non-fat tissue.

Fat mass is estimated separately from lean mass based on entered values and selected formula.

Formula-based estimates may differ from clinical measurement methods.

This result should be used as broad body composition context, not a diagnosis or fixed target.

Lean body mass vs fat mass

Lean body mass

64.0 kg

Includes all estimated non-fat tissue.

Fat mass

16.0 kg

Estimated fat tissue based on entered values.

What lean body mass includes

Skeletal muscle
Bones
Organs
Water
Connective tissue
Other non-fat tissue

Lean body mass is not the same as muscle mass alone.

Lean mass formulas and methods

Body-fat method

Uses body fat percentage directly to estimate fat mass and lean mass.

Boer formula

Uses height, weight, and sex to estimate lean body mass.

James formula

Another commonly used height-and-weight estimate.

Hume formula

A lean body mass estimate that may differ from other formulas.

Lean body mass vs muscle mass

Lean body mass

Includes muscle, organs, bones, water, connective tissue, and all non-fat tissue.

Muscle mass

Refers specifically to muscle tissue, which is only one part of lean body mass.

How lean body mass is used

Body composition tracking
Fitness progress context
Fat mass estimation
Comparing changes beyond scale weight
Athletic or strength goals
General body composition awareness

Limitations and healthy context

Lean body mass estimates can vary because of hydration, formula choice, body composition, and measurement differences.

Formula choice
Hydration
Measurement error
Water fluctuations
Athletic build
Age
Sex
Ethnicity
Pregnancy
Body shape
Medical conditions

Clinical tools such as DEXA scans may provide more detailed assessment. Consider speaking with a qualified healthcare professional if you have health concerns.

Formula explanation

Fat Mass = Body Weight × Body Fat Percentage
Lean Body Mass = Body Weight − Fat Mass
Men Boer: LBM = 0.407W + 0.267H − 19.2
Women Boer: LBM = 0.252W + 0.473H − 48.3
Men James: LBM = 1.1W − 128 × (W ÷ H)²
Women James: LBM = 1.07W − 148 × (W ÷ H)²

Example: 80 kg at 20% body fat

Fat mass = 80 × 0.20 = 16 kg. Lean body mass = 80 − 16 = 64 kg.

Example: 180 lb at 25% body fat

Fat mass ≈ 45 lb. Lean body mass ≈ 135 lb.

Frequently Asked Questions