The Fitties Journal
How to Calculate Body Fat with the Parillo Body Fat Formula
Key Takeaways
Here's what matters most if you're short on time:
- The Parillo method uses nine skinfold measurement sites, more than any other commonly used caliper formula.
- It uses a single, simple formula for both males and females with no age variable, making the math straightforward.
- The greater number of sites provides a more comprehensive picture of fat distribution, but requires more time and a skilled partner for accurate measurement.
The Parillo body fat formula uses nine skinfold measurements and a single equation to estimate body fat percentage. It is the most site-intensive caliper-based method in common use, sampling more locations across the body than any of the Jackson-Pollock, Durnin-Womersley, or Yuhasz formulas.
What makes the Parillo method unusual is its simplicity despite the number of sites. The formula does not include age or gender as variables. There is one equation for everyone, and the math is basic multiplication and division. The accuracy comes from the breadth of measurement locations rather than the complexity of the formula.
For a complete overview of all body fat measurement methods and how to use calipers, see our guide to measuring body fat.
Who Is This Method For?
The Parillo method is best suited for individuals who want the most granular caliper-based assessment available and who have access to a skilled, consistent partner to take measurements. Because it covers nine sites, it captures fat distribution patterns that methods with fewer sites may miss.
The lack of age and gender variables in the formula means it may be less precise for certain populations compared to methods like Durnin-Womersley (which has age-specific equations) or the Jackson-Pollock formulas (which use gender-specific equations). If you are looking for a formula that accounts for more biological variables with fewer measurement sites, those may be better options.
If you are a competitive athlete, the Yuhasz method (six sites) was designed specifically for trained populations and may be a better fit.
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Shop FitFastSkinfold Measurement Locations (Males and Females)
All nine measurement sites are the same for both males and females.
| Site | Location | Fold Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Chest (Pectoral) | Halfway between the nipple and the upper portion of the pectoral muscle near the armpit | Diagonal |
| Abdomen | One inch to the right of the belly button | Vertical |
| Thigh | Halfway between the kneecap (patella) and the inguinal crease (where the top of the thigh meets the hip) | Vertical |
| Bicep | Directly over the bicep muscle, halfway between the shoulder and the elbow | Vertical |
| Tricep | Halfway between the top of the shoulder and the elbow, on the back of the arm | Vertical |
| Subscapular | Approximately 2 cm below the lower tip of the shoulder blade, at a 45-degree angle roughly parallel to the inner angle of the shoulder blade | Diagonal (45°) |
| Suprailiac | Approximately two inches above the iliac crest (upper protrusion of the hip bone), at a 45-degree angle going up and away from the body | Diagonal (45°) |
| Lower Back | Directly over the kidneys, two inches to the right of the spine | Horizontal |
| Calf | The largest part of the calf, on the inside (medial side) of the leg | Vertical |
Parillo Body Fat Formula (Males and Females)
Measure the following skinfolds in millimeters with body fat calipers: Chest, Abdomen, Thigh, Bicep, Tricep, Subscapular, Suprailiac, Lower Back, and Calf. You will also need the subject's body weight in pounds.
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Body Fat % | (27 x sum of skinfolds in mm) / body weight in lbs |
Note: Body weight must be in pounds for this formula. If you weigh yourself in kilograms, multiply by 2.205 to convert to pounds before calculating.
Example Calculation
Here is a worked example for an individual weighing 175 lbs with the following skinfold measurements:
| Site | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Chest | 8 mm |
| Abdomen | 20 mm |
| Thigh | 14 mm |
| Bicep | 6 mm |
| Tricep | 10 mm |
| Subscapular | 14 mm |
| Suprailiac | 16 mm |
| Lower Back | 18 mm |
| Calf | 8 mm |
| Sum of Skinfolds | 114 mm |
Calculate Body Fat Percentage:
Body Fat % = (27 x 114) / 175
Body Fat % = 3,078 / 175
Body Fat % = 17.6%
Tips for Accurate Results
Have a partner take all nine measurements. The subscapular, lower back, and calf sites are very difficult to self-measure. With nine sites, consistent technique across all locations is critical, and a trained partner delivers this far more reliably than solo measurement.
Take two readings at each site. If the two differ by more than 2 mm, take a third and average the two closest. With nine sites, small measurement errors at each location can compound significantly in the final result.
Rotate through all nine sites before remeasuring. This gives the skin at each location time to return to its normal thickness.
Measure before exercise, at the same time of day. Morning measurements before eating produce the most consistent results. Post-workout blood flow and hydration shifts affect skinfold thickness at multiple sites.
Use the same calipers and the same tester every time. With nine measurement points, inter-tester and inter-instrument variation has a larger cumulative impact than with methods that use fewer sites.
Weigh yourself on the same scale, at the same time. Since body weight is part of the formula, variation in your scale reading directly affects the result. Weigh yourself before eating, after using the bathroom, at the same time you take your skinfold measurements.
How Parillo Compares to Other Methods
| Method | Sites | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| JP 3-Site | 3 | Quick estimate, beginners, solo measurement |
| JP 4-Site | 4 | Same sites for both genders, good accuracy-to-effort ratio |
| JP 7-Site | 7 | Most comprehensive JP method, accounts for age |
| Durnin-Womersley | 4 | Broad age range (16-72), age-specific equations |
| Yuhasz | 6 | Athletes and highly fit individuals |
| Parillo (this article) | 9 | Most measurement sites, simplest formula |
Supporting Your Body Composition Goals
Nine measurement sites give you the most detailed caliper-based body fat picture available. Pairing that data with targeted nutritional support helps you make the most of it.
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Conclusion
The Parillo method is a study in contrasts: the most measurement sites of any caliper formula paired with the simplest math. No age brackets to look up, no gender-specific equations, no logarithms. Just nine skinfold measurements, one multiplication, and one division.
That simplicity is both its strength and its limitation. If you want a formula that accounts for biological variables like age and gender, the Durnin-Womersley method or Jackson-Pollock 7-site method provide that. If nine sites is more than you need, the JP 4-site method offers a solid estimate with less than half the measurements. And if you are an athlete looking for a formula designed for trained populations, the Yuhasz method is worth considering.
FitFast
FitFast combines berberine with InSea2, a clinically studied blend of polyphenols from sustainably harvested brown seaweed. Formulated to support healthy blood glucose levels and a healthy glycemic response to food. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Shop FitFast
