Identify your body type — ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph — and get personalised training and nutrition recommendations.
A body type calculator estimates your body shape and build from measurements like your shoulders, bust or chest, waist and hips. It can identify a body shape (such as hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle or inverted triangle) and a somatotype (ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph). The result is a general guide for fitness and clothing choices, not a health diagnosis.
Answer based on your natural build, not your current condition after training or weight changes.
Body shape is based on how your shoulders/bust, waist and hips compare. These are the most common shapes for both women and men.
| Body Shape | Main Pattern |
|---|---|
| Hourglass | Bust and hips similar; clearly narrower waist |
| Pear (triangle) | Hips wider than bust/shoulders |
| Apple (round) | Weight carried around the middle; fuller waist |
| Rectangle (straight) | Bust, waist and hips fairly even |
| Inverted triangle | Shoulders/bust wider than hips |
Accurate measurements give a better result. Use a soft tape, stand relaxed, and keep the tape level.
These measure different things and answer different questions.
| Measure | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Body type/shape | Your proportions and general build |
| BMI | Weight relative to height (a screening tool) |
| Body fat % | How much of your body is fat vs lean tissue |
Somatotyping (Sheldon, 1940s) categorises body structure into three main types, though most people are a blend. Understanding your somatotype can help tailor diet and training approaches.
Ectomorph: Long limbs, low body fat, difficulty gaining muscle. Benefit from higher calories and compound lifts.
Mesomorph: Athletic build, responds well to training, moderate metabolism. Most versatile type.
Endomorph: Higher body fat, gains weight easily, stocky. Benefit from cardio, strength training, calorie control.
Somatotyping — the classification of body types — was developed by psychologist William Sheldon in the 1940s. The three primary body types describe broad structural and metabolic tendencies. Most people are a combination of two types. Modern sports science views somatotype as a starting tendency, not a fixed determinant — training and nutrition significantly override genetic predispositions.
| Type | Characteristics | Typical Build | Best Fitness Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ectomorph | Lean, long limbs, fast metabolism, difficulty gaining muscle | Slender, low body fat naturally | Higher calories, compound lifts, progressive overload, less cardio |
| Mesomorph | Athletic build, gains muscle easily, moderate body fat | Muscular, responsive to training | Varied training, moderate calories, both strength and cardio |
| Endomorph | Broader frame, gains fat more easily, strong lower body | Rounder, higher body fat tendency | Regular cardio, strength training, calorie management, high protein |
Modern sports science does not regard somatotype as a rigid biological classification. The same person can shift their apparent body type significantly through years of training and dietary change. Genetics influence metabolism, muscle fibre type ratios, and fat distribution — but do not dictate outcomes. Many elite athletes do not fit the "expected" body type for their sport.
What are the three body types?
The three somatotypes are ectomorph (lean, fast metabolism, difficulty gaining muscle), mesomorph (naturally athletic, gains muscle easily), and endomorph (broader frame, gains fat more easily but also strong). Most people are a blend of two types — e.g. meso-endomorph or ecto-mesomorph — rather than a pure single type.
Does body type affect what diet and exercise I should do?
Body type is a useful starting point but should not be overemphasised. An ectomorph building muscle benefits from higher calories and fewer extended cardio sessions. An endomorph losing fat benefits from calorie control and consistent cardio alongside strength training. However, the fundamental principles (progressive overload for muscle, calorie deficit for fat loss) apply to all body types.
Can I change my body type?
Your structural frame (bone size, limb length) is genetically determined. However, your apparent body type can shift significantly — a naturally ectomorphic person can become very muscular through years of progressive weight training and adequate nutrition. An endomorphic person can achieve very low body fat through consistent training and dietary management. Body type describes tendencies, not limits.
How do I find out my body type?
Measure your shoulders or bust, waist and hips, then compare them. If your bust and hips are similar with a narrow waist, you are likely an hourglass; wider hips suggest a pear; wider shoulders an inverted triangle; and fairly even measurements a rectangle. Enter your measurements in the calculator for an instant result.
What is my body type as a woman?
For women, body shape is usually based on bust, waist and hip measurements, giving shapes like hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle or inverted triangle. Enter your measurements above and the calculator identifies the closest match. Remember these are general style and fitness guides, not judgments about health or appearance.
What is my body type as a man?
For men, body type is often described using somatotypes — ectomorph (lean), mesomorph (muscular) or endomorph (softer, rounder) — along with shoulder-to-waist proportions. The calculator uses your measurements to estimate your build. Most men are a combination, and training and nutrition can shift things over time.
How do I measure my body for the calculator?
Use a soft tape measure and stand relaxed. Measure your shoulders or bust at the fullest point, your waist at its narrowest (usually just above the navel), and your hips at their widest. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight. Taking each measurement twice improves accuracy.
What are ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph?
They are the three somatotypes. Ectomorphs are naturally lean and gain muscle slowly; mesomorphs are naturally muscular and build muscle easily; endomorphs have a softer, rounder build and gain both muscle and fat readily. Most people are a mix, and your somatotype is a general guide rather than a fixed category.
Can I change my body type?
You cannot change your underlying bone structure or frame, but you can change your body composition through training, nutrition and lifestyle. Building muscle or losing fat can shift how your shape looks and how your measurements compare, even though your basic proportions and somatotype tendencies stay broadly similar.
Is body type the same as BMI?
No. Body type describes your shape and proportions, while BMI compares your weight to your height as a general screening number. Two people with the same BMI can have very different body shapes. Body fat percentage is different again, measuring how much of your body is fat versus lean tissue.