How Do Smart Scale Measure Fat and What Units Are Used for Visceral Fat?

Our smart scales use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) — a standard technology employed by most consumer-grade scales. During a measurement, the scales send a low electrical current through your body and analyze the resistance of different tissues: fat, muscle, water, and bone. Fat tissue has higher resistance, which allows the algorithm to estimate its proportion in your body.

Important Notes:

• The measurements are generalized estimates, often extrapolated from specific body zones — for example, data from the lower body (feet) may be used to estimate overall composition.

• Readings may vary from day to day due to various factors such as hydration level, menstrual cycle phase, food intake, physical activity, and even the time of day.

• These scales are not medical devices, so their readings are not clinical-grade and may differ from professional body composition analysis.

The primary purpose of the scales is to track trends and changes over time, not to provide precise medical data. They help you see what might not be obvious in the mirror — within a reasonable margin of error.

What Units Are Used for Visceral Fat?

On the scale screen, you are not seeing kilograms or percentages, but rather what is known as a "Visceral Fat Index."

This is a calculated reference scale that estimates the presumed volume of visceral fat — the fat located deep inside the abdominal cavity, surrounding internal organs. Since it’s not possible to weigh visceral fat directly, medical communities use an index — a convenient numerical estimation.

• A score between 1–12 is considered normal.

• Higher values may indicate excess visceral fat.

The index value is determined based on your anthropometric data and the scale’s algorithm. It is not a measurement in kilograms or percentages, but rather a conventional range designed to help you understand your body’s condition.