Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Sarah Chen

Understanding Lean Body Mass

Formula

Lean body mass (LBM) is everything in your body except fat: muscle, bones, organs, water, and connective tissue. Knowing your LBM helps determine protein needs and set realistic body composition goals.

The simplest method is LBM = Weight x (1 - Body Fat%). The Boer formula estimates LBM from height and weight without needing body fat percentage, using sex-specific coefficients.

Common use cases:

  • Calculating protein needs based on lean mass
  • Tracking muscle gains during training
  • Setting body recomposition goals

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sarah Chen

Financial Analyst, CFA

Sarah is a Chartered Financial Analyst with over 8 years of experience in investment management and financial modeling. She specializes in retirement planning and compound interest calculations.

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