Total Body Water Calculator

Estimate total body water in litres using the Watson or Hume-Weyers formula, with intracellular and extracellular compartment breakdown.

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45.9 L
total body water · 57.4% of body weight
Intracellular (~60%)
27.5 L
Extracellular (~40%)
18.4 L

Total body water estimates are based on population regression equations and may vary by ±10–15% for individuals. These are not diagnostic values. Clinical assessment of hydration status should use direct measurement methods.

Also in Body Metrics

Health — Body Metrics

Total Body Water Calculator

Water makes up the largest fraction of the human body — roughly 50–70% of body weight depending on age, sex, and body composition. Knowing your estimated total body water helps contextualise hydration needs, body composition changes, and clinical fluid management.

Body water compartments

Total body water (TBW) is divided into two main compartments: intracellular fluid (ICF), which accounts for approximately 60% of TBW and exists inside cells, and extracellular fluid (ECF), which makes up the remaining 40% and includes blood plasma, interstitial fluid between cells, and lymph.

TBW as a percentage of body weight is higher in lean, muscular individuals (up to 70%) and lower in those with higher body fat (as low as 45%), because fat tissue contains very little water compared to muscle.

Frequently asked questions

Why does age affect total body water?

TBW decreases with age due to reduced muscle mass (which holds more water than fat), changes in hormonal regulation of fluid balance, and reduced kidney function. The Watson formula explicitly includes age as a variable to account for this effect.

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