Use this method when you have a DEXA, Bod Pod, or smart-scale body-fat reading. Most accurate of the four.
Within the average range for your sex and age (Schutz 2002 norms). Lean mass index normalizes LBM to height, so it's a fairer comparison across body sizes than raw LBM.
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Assumes you preserve all current LBM, which requires adequate protein and resistance training during the cut.
Educational reference only. Lean body mass formulas estimate within ±3–5 lbs of true LBM for most adults; outliers include very lean and very heavy populations, and all formulas underestimate LBM in trained athletes. For a precise measurement, a DEXA scan, Bod Pod, or hydrostatic weighing is the clinical standard. Talk to your clinician or a registered dietitian before starting a new nutrition or training program.
Lean body mass calculator by BestRatedDocs · Reviewed by Dr. David Taylor, MD, PhD