U.S. Coast Guard Body Composition Standards (2026)
The Coast Guard 2026 body-composition program explained: the WHtR gate, body-fat limits by age and sex, high-performer allowances, and the official source.
By The VivMetric Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
The 2026 screen
Accession screen uses BMI 19.0–27.5; the primary in-service screen is abdominal circumference (Men ≤ 39 in, Women ≤ 35.5 in). Body-fat % applies if needed. The Coast Guard is aligning toward the DoD WHtR < 0.55 screen.
WHtR gate
The initial pass line is below 0.55. On December 18, 2025, the U.
Body-fat limits by age and sex
Age Under 30: max 22% body fat (men), 32% (women). Age Under 40: max 24% body fat (men), 34% (women). Age 40+: max 26% body fat (men), 36% (women).
Source
Coast Guard Body Composition Standards Program (updated Feb 2025) — https://www.uscg.mil/. Data retrieved 2026-08-19.
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Related pages
- Standards detail → /standards
- Standards detail → /standards/coast-guard
- WHtR detail → /whtr
- Tool page → /tools/body-composition-check