what % of fat is normal?

OK so I did one of those weight scales that tell you all the other things besides just your weight. My weight on this scale was 267, and the fat percentage was 48%. I am trying to fiqure out what my goal weight should be. So what is the normal %  amount of fat?

Hi. Here is some information from a different forum that might help. I have a body comp scale from Tanita.  The directions with that are that for women you have to take an average of the readings over a month to allow for differences in your cycle.  Also, they tell you NOT to weigh first thing in the morning, because your body water is low.  The lower your body water, the higher body fat reading, and it may be false.  For a woman age 35 - 50, normal body fat is 25-33%.  Each age group has a different "acceptable" range.  My 18yo daughter is about 18%, and the acceptable range for her bracket - 18 - 25 is 17 - 24%, and from 25 - 35, it is a bit higher. When I weigh at different times during the day, I can see a pattern of body comp, and,  like my manual says, the best time for a body comp is late in the day, at least 3 hours after waking, working out and eating - sometime around 4 - 5pm. If you do a google search for acceptable body fat percentage women age ???? and insert your age, you will get some articles from the National Inst. for Health on the subject of what is good for your age range.

My doctor believes in body fat goals rather than goal weight .. my goal percentage is 27% ..  I have one of those scales that measures body fat, but I don't pay any attention to it.  I just go my the impedance (I think that is what it is called) test that Dr Sofronski does when I see him. Hugs, Mo