Why does my Styku body fat percentage look different from other devices?

Body fat percentage readings from Styku can look different from other devices — and that is often normal. The most common causes are differences in how each device calculates body fat, an incorrect scanning pose, or a turntable weight scale that has not been calibrated. Working through each of these areas will usually resolve the concern.

1. Understand why Styku and other devices give different numbers

Not all body composition devices use the same method to calculate body fat. The difference you see is often expected, not a sign that something is broken.

No commercially available technology measures body fat directly. BIA, 3D body scanning, and DEXA all measure different inputs and then apply a predictive model to estimate body composition. Because each method measures something different and is built on a different model, some difference between systems for the same person is normal — not an error.

BIA devices (like InBody) estimate body composition from electrical impedance — how an electrical current moves through the body. BIA results are sensitive to hydration status, carbohydrate consumption, sweating, recent exercise, and alcohol consumption — any of which can skew results and make standardized pre-test protocols essential.
Styku estimates body composition from body shape and anthropometric data — it uses 3D depth sensing to capture body circumferences and shape, which a predictive model then converts into body composition. Styku’s algorithm is scientifically validated and is generally within 1–2% of the gold-standard Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner. Your current setup uses the DEXA-correlated algorithm (the Advanced model) by default.
DEXA estimates body composition from X-ray attenuation — how X-rays of two energy levels pass through tissue.

Because of these fundamental differences in method, results between Styku, BIA, and DEXA are not directly comparable. BIA’s reliance on hydration introduces a higher degree of error and makes reliable change-over-time tracking more difficult, whereas Styku is not reliant on hydration and is therefore less error-prone. Unlike BIA devices such as InBody, Styku is also completely non-invasive and can be used by anyone — including individuals with pacemakers, pregnant clients, or those with certain acute or chronic conditions who may be excluded from BIA use.

Differences are larger at the extremes of the population

Predictive models are built around broad populations, so estimates can diverge more for individuals who sit at the extreme end of that spectrum — for example, exceptionally muscular clients such as physique athletes and elite performers, or very lean clients. If your clients are athletes or very lean, results may feel unexpected at first. This is normal, and does not mean the scanner is malfunctioning.

Don’t treat any single reading as an absolute “true” number

It’s important not to treat one result — such as an InBody reading — as the definitive reference point. A reading of, say, 5.8%–6.3% reflects an estimate based on that system’s model and inputs (including hydration on the day), not a precise measurement. The same is true of Styku, DEXA, and every other technology. There is no single device that will tell a client their exact, “true” body fat percentage, because no device measures fat directly.

Track trends, not absolute values

The most reliable use of any body composition tool is tracking change over time under consistent conditions, not pinning down one “correct” number. Even when a client’s body fat estimate reads higher on one system than another, that does not reduce the value of monitoring their trend. The concern would only be large fluctuations under consistent conditions without a real change in physique — which is generally not what we see. These systems are effective at detecting directional change over time.

For this reason, we recommend focusing on trends rather than chasing a single body fat percentage. In many cases the most actionable insights come from metrics other than body fat percentage:

Total lean mass
Regional lean mass
Appendicular lean mass (ALSTI)
Circumference changes
Weight changes
Shape changes over time

These measurements often provide more meaningful guidance than small variations in body fat percentage — especially for already-lean clients.

Body fat percentage is harder to interpret at very low levels

Differences between 6%, 7%, 8%, and 9% body fat are usually far less meaningful than shifts at higher ranges (for example, going from 25% to 20%). As a client gets leaner, small discrepancies between technologies become more noticeable but are typically less impactful for decision-making.

Matching the algorithm to your clientele

Styku offers both a BIA-correlated algorithm (the Basic model) and a DEXA-correlated algorithm (the Advanced model). If your primary clientele consists of highly fit individuals who are more familiar with BIA-derived numbers, the BIA-correlated algorithm may align more closely with their expectations. For broader populations, many providers prefer the DEXA-correlated model, as DEXA is widely regarded as the gold standard and performs well across that group. For details on how each model works and how to switch, see “What are the Styku Basic and Advanced body composition models, and which should I use?” If you have questions about the BIA algorithm or would like guidance on adjusting your body composition settings, let us know.

Ultimately, the goal of these assessments is not to pinpoint an exact body fat percentage, but to provide a consistent framework for tracking meaningful changes over time and supporting better-informed decisions for your clients.

2. Check your scanning environment for daylight interference

The Styku camera tower uses an infrared depth sensor. Direct sunlight or bright ambient daylight entering the room can interfere with the scan capture and lead to incomplete or inaccurate 3D models — which in turn affects all measurements, including body fat.

Set up and run scans in a room with no direct sunlight hitting the scanning area.
Close blinds or curtains fully before scanning.
If your space has large windows, plan scans for times of day when sunlight is not shining directly into the room.
Once daylight is eliminated, re-run a test scan to check if results improve.

3. Confirm the subject is wearing appropriate clothing and using the correct scanning pose

An incorrect pose or inappropriate clothing is one of the most common causes of inaccurate measurements on new setups. The scanner needs a clear, consistent view of the whole body.

Subjects should wear form-fitting clothing (undergarments also work well). Unlike BIA devices, there is no requirement to fast, avoid exercise, or avoid eating or drinking before a Styku scan.

Have the subject stand in the center of the turntable, facing the camera tower.
Feet should be approximately hip-width apart.
Arms should be held slightly away from the body — not touching the sides.
The subject should stand tall, looking straight ahead, and remain still during the full rotation.
Styku Studio will show a pose detection indicator before the scan begins. Wait for the software to confirm the pose is correct before starting.

4. Calibrate the turntable weight scale

Styku uses the subject’s weight as part of its body composition calculation. If the turntable scale has not been calibrated, weight readings — and therefore body fat estimates — can be off.

Make sure the turntable is on a flat, hard surface. Do not place it on carpet or uneven flooring.
Make sure nothing is resting on the turntable before calibration.
Open Styku Studio and navigate to the turntable calibration settings.
Follow the on-screen steps to complete the calibration.
Run a test scan after calibrating to confirm weight is recording correctly.

5. Note: Styku is validated for adults aged 18 and older

Styku’s body composition algorithms were developed and validated for adults 18 years of age and older. If you scan individuals under 18, body fat percentage results may not closely match DEXA or clinical measurements. This is a known limitation of the system, not a malfunction.

For clients outside this age range, Styku offers a custom body fat tool that lets you manually enter a body fat value from an external device. Ask support for guidance on using this feature.

If this resolves your issue, no further action is needed.

If the problem persists, contact support and include: the names or scan IDs of the affected clients, the device you are comparing results against, a description of your scan room lighting conditions, and confirmation of whether the turntable weight scale has been calibrated.

Applies to: Styku Studio, all current Styku scanner models (X2L, X2, X2 Pro)

Styku vs. Inbody and other BIA devices
Body Composition Metrics — Body Fat, Lean Mass, Weight, and Sarcopenia
Body Composition Analysis: Methods, Models, and Measurement Levels
Body Composition Metrics: Key Definitions and Health Risk Indicators

Still need help? Submit a service ticket in the Styku Business Portal.