Body Type Calculator
Discover your somatotype and get personalized recommendations
Understanding Body Types (Somatotypes)
Body type or somatotype is a classification system developed by psychologist William Sheldon to categorize human physiques. While everyone is unique, most people fall into one of three main categories or a combination of them.
Ectomorph Characteristics
- Narrow shoulders and hips
- Lean and slender build
- Fast metabolism
- Difficulty gaining weight/muscle
- Long limbs relative to torso
Mesomorph Characteristics
- Naturally muscular physique
- Broad shoulders and narrow waist
- Gains muscle easily
- Moderate metabolism
- Athletic build
Endomorph Characteristics
- Softer, rounder physique
- Wider hips than shoulders
- Gains fat more easily
- Slower metabolism
- Stores fat primarily in lower body
How the Calculator Works
This calculator determines your body type by analyzing:
- Bone structure: Wrist and ankle measurements help determine frame size
- Body composition: Height-to-weight ratio provides clues about your natural build
- Weight distribution patterns: Where you gain weight first indicates metabolic tendencies
- Self-assessment: Your perception of your frame size adds subjective data
Important Note
Your body type doesn't determine your destiny! While somatotypes indicate natural tendencies, proper nutrition and exercise can help anyone achieve their fitness goals. Most people are a blend of types rather than purely one category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your fundamental bone structure and genetic predisposition remain constant, but your body composition can change significantly with age, lifestyle, and training. For example:
- An ectomorph can build substantial muscle with proper training
- An endomorph can achieve a lean physique with disciplined nutrition
- Hormonal changes (like menopause) may alter weight distribution patterns
The calculator reflects your current physical characteristics which may evolve over your lifetime.
The calculator provides a good estimate based on anthropometric measurements and scientifically validated somatotype assessment methods. However:
- Accuracy depends on precise measurements (use a tape measure for wrists/ankles)
- Most people are blends of types rather than pure examples
- Current body fat percentage can influence results
- The calculator doesn't account for muscle mass from training
For most people, it will correctly identify their dominant somatotype characteristics.
Yes, optimizing your training for your body type can yield better results:
- Ectomorphs: Focus on compound lifts with heavier weights and lower reps. Limit cardio.
- Mesomorphs: Respond well to both strength and hypertrophy training. Variety works best.
- Endomorphs: Benefit from higher volume training with moderate weights plus regular cardio.
However, these are general guidelines. Individual response to training varies, so experiment to find what works best for you.
While basic nutrition principles apply to everyone, optimal macronutrient ratios often vary by somatotype:
- Ectomorphs: Typically do well with higher carbohydrates (40-50% of calories) and moderate protein
- Mesomorphs: Often thrive on balanced macros (30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% fat)
- Endomorphs: May benefit from slightly lower carbs (30%) and higher protein/fat
These are starting points - track your results and adjust based on your individual response. Food quality matters most for all types.