About the Body Type Calculator
This calculator estimates your somatotype — ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph — from skeletal measurements. Somatotypes describe frame and build tendencies, which can help set realistic expectations for training, though they are a rough classification rather than a biological category.
The formula
Frame indicators: height / wrist circumference, shoulder-to-hip ratioEctomorphs have narrow frames and small joints, mesomorphs broader shoulders relative to hips, and endomorphs wider frames with a tendency to store fat more readily.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter your Height (cm). The field starts at
175, which you can overwrite. - 2Enter your Wrist Circumference (cm). The field starts at
17, which you can overwrite. - 3Enter your Shoulder Width (cm). The field starts at
44, which you can overwrite. - 4Enter your Hip Width (cm). The field starts at
36, which you can overwrite. - 5Read the result straight away — it recalculates as you type, so there is no button to press. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the page with your exact numbers filled in.
Worked example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Height (cm) | 175 |
| Wrist Circumference (cm) | 17 |
| Shoulder Width (cm) | 44 |
| Hip Width (cm) | 36 |
Result
Body Type: Mesomorph – Athletic, gains muscle easily
Frame Size: Medium frame (Mesomorph tendency)
Height-to-Wrist Ratio: 10.29
Shoulder-to-Hip Ratio: 1.22
Those are the values the page loads with, so you can reproduce this result yourself and then change one field at a time to see what drives the outcome.
Understanding your result
The three-type model comes from William Sheldon's 1940s work, which attempted to link body build to personality — a claim comprehensively rejected since. What survived is the observation that skeletal frame and natural build vary in ways that affect how people respond to training and diet, which is genuinely useful for setting expectations.
Almost nobody is a pure type. Most people are combinations, and the classification says nothing about what is achievable — it describes starting tendencies, not limits. Someone with an ectomorph frame can build substantial muscle; it may simply take longer and require more deliberate eating. Programme design matters far more than category.
Things worth knowing
- Frame size is fixed, but muscle and body fat are not. Your type describes your skeleton, not your potential.
- Ectomorph tendencies often mean needing more calories than expected to gain mass.
- Endomorph tendencies often respond well to a higher protein intake and consistent resistance training.
- Mesomorph tendencies gain muscle relatively easily but still need progressive overload to make progress.
- Wrist circumference is the most reliable single frame indicator, as it is minimally affected by fat or muscle.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three body types?+
Ectomorph — lean with a narrow frame and small joints. Mesomorph — naturally muscular with broad shoulders. Endomorph — wider frame with a greater tendency to store fat. Most people are a blend.
Can I change my body type?+
You cannot change your skeletal frame, but you can change body composition substantially through training and nutrition. Type describes tendencies, not a ceiling on what you can achieve.
Is the somatotype model scientifically valid?+
The frame observations have some descriptive use, but the original theory linking body type to personality has been rejected. Treat it as a rough classification, not a scientific framework.
How should my body type change my training?+
Mainly through expectations and calorie targets rather than exercise selection. Progressive resistance training and adequate protein work for everyone; how quickly you gain or lose is where the differences show.