What is the ideal body fat percentage in a female athlete?

According to a few online calculators, mine is 21.5. Is this an average or more than average body fat percentage? I'm 5'2'' at 111-113 lbs. and run 20 to 30 miles a week. 18 years old.

Public Comments

1. ofcourse i don't know your age or weight or height but unless you are under 4' 8" , that is average.
2. idk for sure but i think its between 12% and 18%...
3. A better question might be, "What is your ideal weight? Body fat percent varies considerably for men and women, and age. However, there are some standards. The minimum percent bodyfat considered safe and acceptable for good health is 5% for males and 12% for females. The average adult bodyfat is closer to 15%-18% for men and 22%-25% for women. Athletes, typically, find themselves at the low end of this scale. Optimal levels of body fat are much lower for those striving for high level performance. Ranges for professional athletes are quite a bit lower than for the average, healthy individual. Much of this difference can be attributed to the increased lean weight (muscle mass) of top athletes. The impact of body size on performance is one consideration that may correlate with body fat. While levels of bodyfat seem to be related to performance, body composition alone has never been a great predictor of sports performance. Several studies have suggested that percent bodyfat is inversely related to maximal aerobic capacity and to distance running performance. Lean muscle mass seems to be positively related to performance in sports where the ability to generate maximal force is required (this may help to explain why a lot of those defensive linemen appear to have a high body fat levels). The bodyfat percents for elite athletes vary largely by sport. Clearly, the association between low body fat and improved performance is not precise, and there is little evidence of performance benefits when male athletes drop under 8% and women drop under 14% bodyfat
4. It depends on the sport. Think of a bodybuilder vs. a softball player. Don't trust on online calculator - you need to get a real test done if you want an accurate answer.
5. Ideal for a female athlete will be lower than your reported 21.5%...but....I am guessing that if you run consistently, eat right, and keep generally active that your calculated result is high. IE, I am guessing your bodyfat to be more in the low to mid/upper teens....like 13 to 18 or so. I know also that onion pulled his info right off the web...but i disagree with the bodyfat numbers of 5% and 12%. Especially for an 18 year old female. I am guessing that if your body fat dropped below 13 or 14%...that your period would stop. And, right now as much as that might seem like something you would LIKE to have happen ... long term you don't really want that to happen. If you are really really concerned w your bodyfat, get it tested professionally. It is NOT cheap. My guess though is that it is more curiosity than anything else. Continue the running, eat right, stretch, and you'll be fine. Also: regarding the rest of the question...21% seems average for the more usual and sedentary females...but, since you are neither...I would guess your results are slightly high.