US Marine Corps Weight Standards

The Corps updated its metrics in 2017

U.S. Marine Corps recruit standing on a scale to ensure he meets height and weight requirements. — •••
Scott Olson / Getty Images

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Updated November 24, 2019

The Marine Corps' weight and body fat standards are health and performance-based, and not based on appearance. Marines are considered not within these standards when their body weight and body fat exceed the maximum limits.

Each Marine is weighed at least semi-annually (annually for Reserves) and is compared to the below chart.

How the Marine Corps Measures Height and Weight

When measuring height, the Marine stands with their back against a wall, head facing forward and heels flat on the floor. Shoulders are back and arms hang relaxed at the sides. Height rounded to the nearest full inch.

Weight is measured on a calibrated scale, either digital or a balance beam scale. Marines are measured in their PT uniforms with no shoes (one pound is taken off the measured weight to account for the PT uniform only). Weight is rounded to the nearest full pound.

Body Composition Program in the Marine Corps

If a Marine's weight exceeds the regulation weight limits, they will be measured for body fat. Marines who exceed the body fat allowance are enrolled in the Body Composition Program—once known as the "Weight Control Program." If the Marine fails to lose the required weight and body fat required to meet standards while enrolled in the Body Composition Program, this may result in an involuntary discharge.

Marines who are over the weight on the chart but meet the body fat standard are considered to be within the required standards, and no further action is taken.

The following charts are updated as of 2017.

Marine Corps Weight Standards Charts

MALE
Height (in.)	Maximum Weight (lbs.)	Minimum Weight (lbs.)
56	122	85
57	127	88
58	131	91
59	136	94
60	141	97
61	145	100
62	150	104
63	155	107
64	160	110
65	165	114
66	170	117
67	175	121
68	180	125
69	186	128
70	191	132
71	197	136
72	202	140
73	208	144
74	214	148
75	220	152
76	225	156
77	231	160
78	237	164
79	244	168
80	250	173
81	256	177
82	263	182

FEMALE
Height (in.)	Maximum Weight (lbs.)	Minimum Weight (lbs.)
56	115	85
57	120	88
58	124	91
59	129	94
60	133	97
61	137	100
62	142	104
63	146	107
64	151	110
65	156	114
66	155	117
67	161	121
68	171	125
69	176	128
70	181	132
71	186	136
72	191	140
73	197	144
74	202	148
75	208	152
76	213	156
77	219	160
78	225	164
79	230	168
80	236	173
81	242	177
82	248	182

Note: No action is required for Marines who are below the minimum standards. Commanders may refer such Marines for a medical evaluation to determine if they are in good health.

Marine Body Fat Standards

The Marine Corps changed their body-fat standards, effective 2017. These new standards are as follows:

Male Marines are not to exceed 18 percent body fat, and female Marines may not exceed 26 percent body fat. These figures apply to entry-level Marine recruits and extend through their first few years of service.

As of 2017, Marines may have their body fat composition disregarded if they master the physical fitness test (PFT) and the combat fitness test (CFT). The requirements are extremely challenging, however: A score of 285 or higher is required on both tests to be totally exempt from the body fat limits.

A score of 250 or above allows an additional 1 percent of body fat per the guidelines. The maximum body fat percentages Marines at each age group can have are listed below:

Male Marines

Ages 17-25: 18 percent
Ages 26-35: 19 percent
Ages 36-45: 20 percent
Ages 46 and above: 21 percent

Female Marines

Ages 17-25: 26 percent
Ages 26-35: 27 percent
Ages 36-45: 28 percent
Ages 46 and above: 29 percent

While on the Body Composition program, if a Marine fails to lose the required weight/body fat to get within standards, they can ultimately be discharged from the United States Marine Corps.