FFMI Calculator

Fat-free mass index: how much muscle you carry for your height.

FFMI
21.5
Normalised FFMI
21.6
Fat-free mass
68.0 kg

That is above average for men (women typically score about 3 to 4 points lower).

How do you calculate FFMI?

Work out your fat-free mass, then divide it by your height squared: FFMI = weight × (1 − body fat %) ÷ height (m)². The normalised version adds 6.1 × (1.8 − height in m) so tall and short lifters compare fairly. For example, 80 kg at 15% body fat and 1.78 m gives 68 kg of fat-free mass and an FFMI of about 21.5.

FFMI ranges (men)

Normalised FFMI ranges for men
Normalised FFMIWhat it means
Below 18Below average
18 to 20Average
20 to 22Above average
22 to 23Excellent
23 to 25Superior
25 and aboveNear or beyond the natural upper range

Source: Kouri et al., Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 1995. Women typically score about 3 to 4 points lower.

Build fat-free mass

12-Week Muscle Building: a four-day plan in three phases, with rep ranges, volume and a modest surplus set out. 36-page PDF, £29.

See the 12-Week Muscle Building

Common questions

What is a good FFMI?

For men, a normalised FFMI of 20 to 22 is above average and 22 to 23 is excellent for someone who trains. Women typically score about 3 to 4 points lower for the same level of training.

What is the natural FFMI limit?

A 1995 study of drug-free lifters found few above a normalised FFMI of about 25. It is a guide, not a hard rule: genetics, measurement error and body-fat estimates all move the number.

How accurate is my FFMI?

Only as accurate as your body-fat figure. A 3% error in body fat shifts FFMI by roughly 0.7 points, so use the same measurement method each time and watch the trend.

Related: what FFMI means · body fat calculator · lean body mass calculator