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.

BIA devices (like InBody) use bioelectrical impedance to estimate body fat based on how 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 uses 3D depth sensing to measure body circumferences, which are then used to predict body composition in correlation to DEXA data. Styku's body composition algorithm is scientifically validated and is generally within 1–2% of the gold-standard Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanner.
Because of this fundamental difference in method, results between Styku and BIA devices are not directly comparable. BIA's reliance on hydration levels introduces a higher degree of error and makes reliable change-over-time tracking more difficult, whereas Styku is not reliant on hydration levels and is therefore less error-prone.
Unlike BIA devices such as InBody, Styku is 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.

If your clients are athletes or very lean, results may feel unexpected at first. This is normal. Your support representative can help you interpret results appropriately for your client base.

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 V5, all current Styku scanner models (X2L, X2, X2 Pro)

Related Resources

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