What is a good lean body mass for your age and sex?
Estimate your muscle mass with the Boer formula and see how you compare to US adults your age.
What Your LBM Means
Lean body mass includes muscle, bone, organs, and water. Higher LBM relative to body weight generally indicates better metabolic health and physical function. The Boer formula estimates LBM from height, weight, and gender.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions
What is the average lean body mass by age?
LBM peaks in the 20s-30s and gradually declines with age. Men average 50-60 kg LBM, women 35-45 kg. After age 40, adults lose approximately 1-2% of LBM per year without resistance training.
What is a good lean body mass percentage?
For men, 75-85% is typical; for women, 65-75%. Athletes may have higher percentages. The calculator uses the Boer formula to estimate LBM from height, weight, and gender.
References
Peer-reviewed sources behind this calculator
- Boer P (1984). Journal of Applied Physiology. Estimated lean body mass as an index for normalization of body fluid volumes in humans. doi:10.1152/jappl.1984.56.3.603
- Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Baumgartner RN, Ross R (2000). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Skeletal muscle mass and distribution in 468 men and women aged 18–88 yr. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2000.tb03819.x
- Cruz-Jentoft AJ, et al. (2010). Age and Ageing. Sarcopenia: European consensus on definition and diagnosis. doi:10.1093/ageing/afq034
Show all 4 references
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. NHANES 2011-2023 Body Measures (BMX) and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXX) Data.
Methodology
Formula: Boer (1984). Reference data: NHANES 2011-2023.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only.