Harpenden Skinfold Caliper – Calculate Body Fat
Harpenden Skinfold Caliper helps calculate body fat by pinching and measuring the thickness of skinfolds at specific sites on the body, which is painless in contrast to other invasive techniques. The thickness of these skinfolds, measured by the devices gauge, is used to estimate the total amount of body fat.
In 1958, the Harpenden Skinfold Caliper was designed in collaboration with D. J. M. Tanner; a prominent force in the use of skinfold measurements for body fat measurement. The Harpenden Body Fat Caliper has set the industry standard for over 40-years since. It has a 99% accuracy level, as a result, you can always trust the reading provided. All over the world, Harpenden Calipers are used for diagnostics and research, in fields such as sports performance, nutrition/malnutrition, obesity, eating disorder assessment and juvenile growth disorders.
The Harpenden Caliper is known for its accuracy and is a preferable choice in research and clinical settings, considered by some as the best skinfold calipers. According to an examination by Science for Sport, Skinfold calipers are a cost-effective and relatively accurate method for assessing body composition over time.
Harpenden Skinfold Caliper Technical Information
This Skinfold Caliper has a CE mark in compliance with the medical Devices 93/42/EEC for class 1 Device with measuring function and calibrated using masters traceable to national standards.
- Range: 80.00mm
- Resolution: 0.20mm (defined as the minimum graduation of the instrument and is not the same as the expected accuracy)
- Repeatability: 0.20mm
- Accuracy: 99%
Durnin and Womersley Conversion Booklet
Harpenden Skinfold Calipers from HaB also include a book that contains conversion tables allowing easy body fat calculation. This conversion is based on the Durnin and Womersley system; a four-measurement-site formula that takes skinfold measurements from the Biceps, Triceps, Subscapula and Iliac Crest. The book also provides information on:
- The evaluation and meaning of body composition
- How to set-up and use the Harpenden Skinfold Caliper
- How to take body fat readings
- Maximum preferred/desired fat levels
- Conversion tables for body fat % vs skinfold thickness in people of all ages
- Body density equations
Material & Cleaning
The Harpenden Skinfold Caliper is made from high-quality stainless steel, rubber, plastic and glass, reducing the risk of breaks. Here are some tips to keep your Calipers in the best condition:
- Keep the Calipers clean using a lint free cloth
- Secondly, ensure that they are kept in dry conditions to prevent corrosion.
- Finally, do not use any spirit based cleaner on the Caliper as it may cause damage to the plastic materials.
Read our blog Complete Body Measurement Guide for Fitness Assessments.
Free delivery for UK Mainland.
Available for International shipping. Not available to customers in Australia, Japan, or Italy.
Roberto Franco –
Joe Richards (verified owner) –
The Harpenden skinfold caliper is most precise skinfold caliper that exists, and is backed by decades of scientific research. The is top-of-the-line quality. You can’t go wrong with a Harpenden.
Eefje Teuling (verified owner) –
They’re much sturdier calipers than I first thought, and although they look like they’d pinch you with the big spring, they are actually gentle. I had been using a basic pair of plastic calipers before these and they were pretty flimsy. I’m really happy I decided to spend the money on these.