Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimator Formula

Understand the math behind the skeletal muscle mass estimator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Skeletal Muscle Mass

smm_kg = 0.244 * weight_kg + 7.80 * height_m - 0.098 * age + 6.6 * 1 - 3.3

Skeletal Muscle Mass

smm_lbs = (0.244 * weight_kg + 7.80 * height_m - 0.098 * age + 6.6 * 1 - 3.3) * 2.20462

Muscle % of Body Weight

smm_pct = (0.244 * weight_kg + 7.80 * height_m - 0.098 * age + 6.6 * 1 - 3.3) / weight_kg * 100

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
weight_lbsBody Weight(lbs)180
height_inchesHeight(inches)70
ageAge(years)30
height_mDerived value= height_inches * 0.0254calculated
weight_kgDerived value= weight_lbs * 0.453592calculated
bmi_valDerived value= weight_kg / (height_m * height_m)calculated

How It Works

Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimation

SMM (kg) = 0.244 x Weight(kg) + 7.80 x Height(m) - 0.098 x Age + 6.6 x Gender - 3.3

Gender = 1 for male, 0 for female. This calculator uses the male equation.

Typical SMM Ranges (Male)

| Age | SMM % of Body Weight | |---|---| | 20-29 | 40-44% | | 30-39 | 37-42% | | 40-49 | 35-40% | | 50+ | 30-37% |

Worked Example

A 30-year-old male, 180 lbs, 70 inches tall.

weight_lbs = 180height_inches = 70age = 30
  1. 01Weight = 81.6 kg, Height = 1.778 m
  2. 02SMM = 0.244 x 81.6 + 7.80 x 1.778 - 0.098 x 30 + 6.6 - 3.3
  3. 03= 19.9 + 13.9 - 2.9 + 6.6 - 3.3 = 34.2 kg
  4. 04As % = 34.2 / 81.6 x 100 = 41.9%

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Skeletal Muscle Mass Estimator