I’ve been trying to find out my body fat % to figure out when i should have a caloric surplus/deficit
however, after taking a bunch of tests i’m left with a huge range of possible %‘s
are some more accurate than others? and should i just average them all together to find a better estimate?

Biomedical Impendence Analysis (on a home scale with two metal plates beneath my feet) :19.1%
BIA (at a health club with wires attached to my feet AND fingers): 13%
Navy Tape measure method: 15.67%

I understand that the BIA depends on hydration as well: i tried to drink the same amount of water before taking these tests in the morning

these are the most credible; other calculators/tests i found gave me something between 11%-22%
should i consider caliper testing?

however, after taking a bunch of tests i’m left with a huge range of possible %‘s
are some more accurate than others? and should i just average them all together to find a better estimate?

I am leaning towards writing an article about this same issue.

All body fat measurements have errors. There is no body fat measurement which can be called “accurate”.  Hydrostatic weighing which is considered to be the gold standard of testing has given negative readings. All you can do is find a body fat testing which is reliable and track the change over time.

I understand that the BIA depends on hydration as well: i tried to drink the same amount of water before taking these tests in the morning

The one with the electrodes on your feet and hands is the real one. The scales and the one which you hold are segmental body fat analyzers which analyze only one half of the body and are not very valid and not proven in research.

And your hydration levels can fluctuate from the amount of salt in your diet, amount of carbs, whether you voided your bladder and so on. The BIA doesn’t differentiate between extracellular water and intracellular water. So everything is considered to be the water from muscle, which is not.

Go for a caliper measurement see what it says. I think you will be around that 13%.

I will be writing an article about this soon.

Hope you read the recent article about body fat measurements. Was written exactly for you (:-

yes, i have. very helpful. thanks a bunch, anoop.