Classify your body type using the Heath-Carter somatotype method. Calculate your endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph scores from body measurements. Includes somatotype chart.
The Heath-Carter somatotype method is the gold standard for classifying human body types into three components: endomorphy (relative fatness), mesomorphy (relative musculoskeletal development), and ectomorphy (relative linearity or slenderness). Originally developed by William Sheldon in the 1940s and refined by Barbara Heath and Lindsay Carter in the 1960s-1990s, somatotyping provides a three-number rating that comprehensively describes your physique.
Unlike simplistic "what body type am I?" quizzes, this calculator uses actual anthropometric measurements to compute scientifically valid scores. Your somatotype is expressed as three numbers (e.g., 3-5-2), representing endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy respectively, each typically ranging from 1 to 7. Most people are a blend of all three components, and your dominant component influences optimal training and nutrition strategies.
This calculator uses the simplified anthropometric Heath-Carter method, requiring your height, weight, skinfold measurements, limb circumferences, and bone breadths to produce your three-component somatotype rating with visualization. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation.
Understanding your somatotype helps you set realistic physique expectations, choose training approaches that work with your natural build, and understand your metabolic tendencies. Endomorphs typically benefit from more cardio and calorie monitoring. Mesomorphs respond well to strength training and moderate nutrition. Ectomorphs often need higher calorie intake and volume-focused training. While somatotype is not destiny, it provides useful context for personalizing your fitness approach.
Endomorphy = −0.7182 + 0.1451×S − 0.00068×S² + 0.0000014×S³ Where S = (sum of tricep + subscapular + suprailiac skinfolds) × (170.18 / height in cm) Mesomorphy = 0.858×HB + 0.601×FB + 0.188×CAG + 0.161×CCG − 0.131×H + 4.5 Where HB = humerus breadth, FB = femur breadth, CAG = corrected arm girth, CCG = corrected calf girth, H = height (cm) Ectomorphy based on HWR (Height / ∛Weight): If HWR ≥ 40.75: Ecto = 0.732×HWR − 28.58 If 38.25 < HWR < 40.75: Ecto = 0.463×HWR − 17.63 If HWR ≤ 38.25: Ecto = 0.1
Result: Somatotype: 2.8 - 5.2 - 2.1 (Mesomorph-dominant)
The sum of skinfolds (35 mm) corrected for height yields a moderate endomorphy score of 2.8. Strong arm and calf girths relative to bone breadths produce a high mesomorphy of 5.2. The moderate height-to-weight ratio gives an ectomorphy of 2.1. This 2.8-5.2-2.1 somatotype indicates a mesomorph-dominant physique — naturally muscular with moderate body fat.
William Sheldon introduced somatotyping in the 1940s as part of his constitutional psychology research. He photographed thousands of individuals and classified them into three extreme types: endomorphs (soft, round), mesomorphs (muscular, hard), and ectomorphs (linear, fragile). While his psychological correlations were later discredited, the physical classification system proved useful and was refined by Heath and Carter into a quantitative, measurement-based method.
Endomorphy is primarily determined by subcutaneous fat thickness measured via skinfold calipers. High endomorphy (5-7) indicates significant fat deposits and a rounded physique. Mesomorphy reflects muscle and bone development relative to height, measured through limb circumferences corrected for skinfold thickness and bone breadths. High mesomorphy (5-7) indicates a compact, muscular build. Ectomorphy is calculated from the height-weight ratio and reflects overall linearity. High ectomorphy (5-7) indicates a tall, slender build with low body mass relative to height.
Beyond training guidance, somatotyping has applications in clinical medicine (predicting metabolic disease risk), ergonomics (designing equipment for different body types), forensic anthropology, and sports talent identification. Research shows that certain sports favor specific somatotype profiles — distance runners are typically ectomorphic, sprinters are mesomorphic, and sumo wrestlers are endomorphic-mesomorphic.
Somatotype classification should not be used to limit expectations. Many champion athletes have "wrong" body types for their sport but succeeded through training, technique, and determination. Body type is a descriptive tool, not a prescriptive one. Use your somatotype as one data point among many when designing your fitness strategy.
Endomorphy describes relative body fatness and roundness. Mesomorphy describes relative musculoskeletal development and robustness. Ectomorphy describes relative linearity and slenderness. Each person receives a score (typically 1-7) for each component, creating a three-number profile. A score of 1 means minimal expression; 7 means extreme expression of that component.
Somatotype has both genetic and environmental components. Your skeletal frame (bone breadths) is genetically fixed and strongly influences the ectomorph component. However, muscle mass (mesomorphy) and body fat (endomorphy) can change significantly with training and nutrition. Over a training career, you might shift from 4-3-3 to 2-5-2, for example.
Ectomorphs (high ecto score) typically need more calories and volume-focused training to build mass. Endomorphs (high endo score) often benefit from cardio, HIIT, and careful calorie management. Mesomorphs (high meso score) tend to build muscle and lose fat relatively easily. However, these are tendencies, not rules — anyone can build an impressive physique with consistent training regardless of somatotype.
Ideally you need a skinfold caliper (Harpenden or Slim Guide), a flexible tape measure, a bone caliper (spreading caliper) for humerus and femur breadths, and a stadiometer or wall-mounted ruler for height. The skinfold caliper is the most important tool; bone breadths can be approximated if necessary.
Sheldon's original system classified people into fixed categories. The Heath-Carter revision treats somatotype as a continuous, measurable variable that can change over time. It uses objective anthropometric measurements instead of photographic assessment and is the standard used in modern sports science research.
Yes, somatotyping is widely used in sports science to profile athletes by sport. For example, marathon runners tend to be ecto-mesomorphs (low endo, moderate meso, high ecto), while wrestlers tend to be meso-endomorphs. This can help with talent identification and training specialization, though individual variation is significant.
A balanced or "central" somatotype has roughly equal scores across all three components, such as 3-3-3 or 4-4-4. This is uncommon — most people have one or two dominant components. There is no "ideal" somatotype; the best physique is the one that supports your health, function, and athletic goals.
Without bone breadth measurements, the mesomorphy component will be less accurate. You can estimate humerus breadth as approximately half your wrist circumference + 1 cm, and femur breadth as roughly ankle circumference / π. These are rough approximations and the result should be treated as an estimate.