Army Height & Weight Calculator

Weighing In: Understanding the Army's Standards

The first hurdle any soldier—or hopeful recruit—must clear is the Army's height and weight screening. Before you run a single mile for your ACFT, you must step on the scale. The Army maintains strict standards for body composition to ensure that every soldier presents a trim, military appearance and is physically capable of the demands of service. This calculator helps you determine if you meet the "Screening Table Weight" for your age and height.

The Screening Table vs. The Tape Test

There is often confusion between "making weight" and "passing body fat." Here is the distinction:

The Screening Table (Height/Weight):
This is the first check. It basically asks, "Are you too heavy for your height?" It uses a standard chart based on your age group, gender, and height in inches. If your weight is at or below the number in the chart, you pass. You are done. No tape measure is needed.

The Tape Test (Body Composition):
If you exceed the weight on the screening table, you do not automatically fail. You are simply "flagged" for a body fat assessment. The Army acknowledges that muscle outweighs fat. A bodybuilder might be "overweight" according to the chart but have very low body fat. The tape test (measuring neck and waist) is used to verify if that excess weight is muscle or fat.

Our calculator checks the Screening Table first. If you fail that, it recommends checking your body fat %.

Army Regulation 600-9

All of these standards are governed by AR 600-9 (The Army Body Composition Program). This regulation dictates:
- How weigh-ins are conducted (every 6 months).
- What uniforms are worn (PT uniform minus shoes).
- The exact circumference methods for taping.

Age Groups Matter

The Army recognizes that as people age, their metabolism slows and body composition naturally shifts slightly. Therefore, the allowable weight for a given height increases slightly as you enter older age brackets.
- Group 1: 17-20 years
- Group 2: 21-27 years
- Group 3: 28-39 years
- Group 4: 40+ years

Tips for Weigh-In Day

1. Timing: Weigh-ins are usually conducted early in the morning after using the bathroom and before breakfast. This is when you are lightest.
2. Hydration: Do not dehydrate yourself ("cut weight") dangerously. It will destroy your performance on the ACFT, which often happens immediately after.
3. Posture: Stand tall. Every inch of height adds significantly to your allowable weight allowance (often 5-7 lbs per inch).

Consequences of Failure

If you fail the screening table AND fail the subsequent tape test, you are flagged. This stops favorable personnel actions (promotions, schools, awards) and initiates enrollment in the ABCP. You must then lose weight/fat monthly to remain in the Army.