U.S. Coast Guard — Body-Fat Limit for Under 30 women
Data updated: 2026-08-19 (verified vs primary service regulations)
Maximum allowable body-fat percentage
| Population | Max body-fat % | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Coast Guard — Under 30 women | 32% | COMDTINST M1020.8 — Body Composition & Physical Fitness |
The Under 30 female maximum is part of the Coast Guard body-composition program (COMDTINST M1020.8 — Body Composition & Physical Fitness). The initial screen is a Waist-to-Height Ratio below 0.55; at or above that line a secondary body-fat evaluation applies. Abdominal-circumference pass lines: 39 in (men) / 35.5 in (women).
Source: Coast Guard Body Composition Standards Program (updated Feb 2025). Verified 2026-08-19. This is an educational reference, not official medical or administrative advice — always confirm current standards with your recruiter or command.
Where the Under 30 band sits in the Coast Guard table
The Coast Guard standard is age-normed for women across 3 bands, so the allowance you receive depends on which age range you fall into rather than on one fleet-wide number. For Under 30 women the ceiling is 32%. That is the tightest band in the table: Under 30 is the most restrictive point for women, and every older band allows more.
The practical consequence is that a reading which fails for one service member can pass for another at a different age, which is why the regulation is applied against the band matching the individual rather than against a single fixed target. If your measured value sits above the ceiling for Under 30 women, the next step is the failure process your service defines rather than a re-test against the same standard.
How Coast Guard measures body composition
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.
The method matters as much as the number, because different techniques produce different readings on the same person. A circumference or tape assessment depends on where the tape is placed and how it is tensioned, while an impedance reading depends on hydration and recent exercise. That is why a regulation names an approved method and a measurement protocol, and why a value obtained by another route is an estimate you can plan with rather than a substitute for the official assessment.
All Coast Guard body-fat bands
The full verified table for this service, so you can compare your band with the others at a glance. Men and women are tracked separately because the physiological ranges differ, and every figure comes from the same regulation cited above.
| Age band | Men (max %) | Women (max %) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 — your band | 22 | 32 |
| Under 40 | 24 | 34 |
| 40+ | 26 | 36 |