# Body Type Calculator

> Rate your body type as endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy with the Heath–Carter anthropometric method, using skinfolds, bone breadths and girths.

Category: Health & fitness · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/body-type-calculator

The Heath–Carter somatotype describes physique with three numbers: relative fatness (endomorphy), musculoskeletal robustness (mesomorphy) and linearity (ectomorphy). It needs ten standard body measurements.

Also called: Somatotype calculator, Heath–Carter calculator.

## Inputs
- Height (unit cm; default 175)
- Weight (unit kg; default 72)
- Triceps skinfold (unit mm; default 10)
- Subscapular skinfold (unit mm; default 12)
- Supraspinale skinfold (unit mm; default 8)
- Medial calf skinfold (unit mm; default 7)
- Humerus (elbow) breadth (unit cm; default 6.8)
- Femur (knee) breadth (unit cm; default 9.6)
- Flexed and tensed arm girth (unit cm; default 33)
- Maximum calf girth (unit cm; default 37)

## Results
- Somatotype (endo-meso-ecto)
- Somatotype category
- Endomorphy
- Mesomorphy
- Ectomorphy
- Height-weight ratio (HWR)
- Somatochart X
- Somatochart Y

## Formula

```
Endo = −0.7182 + 0.1451X − 0.00068X² + 0.0000014X³, X = (triceps + subscapular + supraspinale) × 170.18 ÷ H;  Meso = 0.858HB + 0.601FB + 0.188CAG + 0.161CCG − 0.131H + 4.5;  Ecto = 0.732HWR − 28.58 (HWR ≥ 40.75), 0.463HWR − 17.63 (38.25 < HWR < 40.75), else 0.1
```

Where:
- H: height in cm
- HB, FB: humerus and femur breadths in cm
- CAG: flexed arm girth − triceps skinfold ÷ 10 (cm)
- CCG: calf girth − calf skinfold ÷ 10 (cm)
- HWR: height ÷ cube root of weight
- X, Y: somatochart coordinates: X = ecto − endo, Y = 2 × meso − (endo + ecto)

## Worked example
1. X = 30 × 170.18 ÷ 175 = 29.17, so endomorphy = 2.97 ≈ 3.0.
2. Mesomorphy = 0.858 × 6.8 + 0.601 × 9.6 + 0.188 × 32 + 0.161 × 36.3 − 0.131 × 175 + 4.5 = 5.04 ≈ 5.0.
3. HWR = 175 ÷ ∛72 = 42.07, so ectomorphy = 0.732 × 42.07 − 28.58 = 2.21 ≈ 2.2.
4. Mesomorphy dominates and endomorphy exceeds ectomorphy by more than half a unit: endomorphic mesomorph.

**Result:** These measurements give a somatotype of 3.0-5.0-2.2, an endomorphic mesomorph: predominantly muscular, with moderate fatness.

## What the result means

Each component typically runs from about ½ to 7 or more. The category names which component dominates. A somatotype describes present physique; it changes with training, diet and age and is not a fixed genetic “type” or a health rating.

## Assumptions and limits
- Measurements are taken by a trained measurer using ISAK-style landmarks, a skinfold caliper and a small sliding caliper for breadths.
- Adults and adolescents; ratings are reported to one decimal and the category uses those rounded values.
- Skinfold measurement error, especially by untrained measurers, can move endomorphy by half a unit or more.
- Popular “body type” diet and training advice based on somatotypes is not supported by good evidence.

## Questions

### Can I use this without calipers?

Not reliably. The endomorphy and mesomorphy equations need skinfolds and bone breadths; guesses give meaningless ratings. Ectomorphy depends only on height and weight.

### What do the X and Y numbers mean?

They place your somatotype on the two-dimensional somatochart used in research: X = ectomorphy − endomorphy and Y = 2 × mesomorphy − (endomorphy + ectomorphy).

## Sources
- [Carter, J.E.L.: The Heath–Carter Anthropometric Somatotype, instruction manual](https://www.mdthinducollege.org/ebooks/Anthropometry/The_heath_Carter_anthropometric_somatotype.pdf)

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_This is a general screening estimate for adults, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Talk to a qualified health professional about your health._

Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/body-type-calculator