Does a DEXA Body Composition Scan Check Bone Density?

Updated October 19, 2026 · By the DEXASCAN.COM Team

Key takeaways

• A whole-body DEXA scan measures fat, lean muscle, visceral fat and total-body bone density in about 10 to 15 minutes.
• A clinical bone density test is a different DEXA scan focused on the hip and lumbar spine, and it is the one used to diagnose osteoporosis.
• About 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone density, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.
• DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR testing start at $89 on DEXASCAN.COM.

Tomorrow, October 20, is World Osteoporosis Day, and it brings up a question we hear constantly: "If I book a DEXA body composition scan, will it check my bones too?" The honest answer is yes and no. Here is exactly what each scan measures, which one you need, and how to use them together.

Does a DEXA body composition scan check bone density?

Yes, it measures your bones, but it does not replace a clinical bone density test. DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) sends two low-dose X-ray beams through the body. Because bone, fat and lean tissue absorb those beams differently, the machine can separate all three.

A whole-body body composition scan uses that technology from head to toe. Your report typically includes:

• Body fat percentage, total and by region (arms, legs, trunk)
• Lean muscle mass by region, which lets you spot left-right imbalances
• Visceral fat, the deep belly fat stored around your organs that is linked to metabolic disease
• ALMI (appendicular lean mass index), the muscle in your arms and legs adjusted for height
• Total-body bone mineral content and bone density

Banner Health describes the difference simply: a body composition scan "measures body fat, lean muscle and metabolic health," while a bone density scan "checks bone strength and risk of osteoporosis." For a full walkthrough of the numbers, see our guide to what a whole-body DEXA scan actually measures.

What is the difference between a bone density scan and a body composition scan?

Same machine type, different target. A clinical bone density test looks closely at specific sites where fractures matter most, while a body composition scan looks at the whole body at once.

• Where it looks: The USPSTF notes that central DEXA "measures BMD at central bone sites (hip and lumbar spine)." A body composition scan covers the entire body.
• What it is for: Bone density tests produce T-scores used to diagnose osteopenia and osteoporosis. Body composition scans are built for tracking fat, muscle and fitness progress.
• Why it matters: A 2016 study of 152 patients in the Iranian Journal of Radiology found that "using the same cutoff points for whole-body measurements as for site-specific measurements will result in underestimation of osteoporosis."
• Insurance: Body composition scans "are not typically covered by insurance," according to Banner Health.

If your whole-body bone number looks low, or you have risk factors, bring it to your healthcare provider. A normal result is useful, but it is not a clean bill of bone health. Our explainer on bone mineral density and T-scores covers how those clinical numbers are read.

Who should get a bone density test?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends osteoporosis screening for women 65 and older and for postmenopausal women younger than 65 at increased risk. In its January 2025 update, the Task Force said the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening men, and stressed that this is "not a recommendation against screening."

Why it matters:

• Among adults 65 and older, osteoporosis affects about 27.1% of women and 5.7% of men, per the USPSTF.
• The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation reports that one in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis.
• Only 40% to 60% of people who break a hip recover their prefracture level of mobility, according to the USPSTF.
• Nearly 80% of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for osteoporosis, according to the Foundation.

Not sure where you fall? Read are you due for a bone density test? and talk with your doctor about your personal risk.

Why track muscle and bone together?

Because the same habits protect both. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation lists "regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises" among its core steps to prevent osteoporosis, and those are the same workouts that build and preserve muscle.

That is where a body composition scan earns its place even if you also get a clinical bone test. It shows whether you are holding onto muscle, especially your ALMI, and whether visceral fat is moving in the right direction. If you are losing weight on a GLP-1, our recent look at how much of GLP-1 weight loss can be muscle explains why a baseline matters. Our visceral fat and ALMI guide explains those two numbers in more detail.

What should you do next?

1. Know your risk. Ask your doctor whether you meet the criteria for a clinical hip and spine bone density test.
2. Train for strength. Do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise. Start with these simple steps to help prevent osteoporosis.
3. Get enough calcium and vitamin D every day, as the Foundation advises and your provider recommends.
4. Get a baseline body composition scan so you know your fat, muscle, visceral fat and total-body bone numbers today.
5. Rescan every 8 to 12 weeks at the same location to track muscle and fat changes on the same machine.

Going through perimenopause or menopause? Learn why belly fat increases during menopause and how a DEXA scan tracks it.

Frequently asked questions

Does a DEXA body composition scan show bone density?

Yes, in part. A whole-body DEXA body composition scan reports total-body bone mineral content and bone density along with fat and lean muscle. It is not the same as a clinical bone density test of the hip and lumbar spine, which is what doctors use to diagnose osteoporosis.

Can a body composition DEXA scan diagnose osteoporosis?

No. Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a DEXA scan of central sites such as the hip and lumbar spine. A 2016 study in the Iranian Journal of Radiology found that applying the standard cutoffs to whole-body scans underestimated osteoporosis, so a whole-body result should be treated as a helpful snapshot, not a diagnosis.

How much does a DEXA body composition scan cost?

Prices vary by city and provider. On DEXASCAN.COM, DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR testing start at $89, and prices are shown upfront before you buy. Body composition scans are not typically covered by insurance, according to Banner Health.

Is a DEXA scan safe?

Banner Health describes a DEXA body composition scan as using a very low level of radiation and safe for most people. You lie comfortably on your back on an open table while a scanning arm passes over you, and the scan typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

How often should I get a DEXA scan?

For tracking fat and muscle, many people rescan every 8 to 12 weeks at the same location so results are comparable. Clinical bone density tests are repeated far less often, and your healthcare provider will decide when you need one.

Related reading

• October Is Bone Health Month: Why Strong Bones Matter at Every Age
• Exercise Solutions to Increase Bone Mass
• How Much Does a DEXA Scan Cost in 2026? Prices by State

Taking a GLP-1? Read our breakdown of whether Ozempic causes bone loss and what the 2026 research shows.

Find a DEXA scan near you

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Sources: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening (Final Recommendation, January 2025); Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, Osteoporosis Fast Facts; Banner Health, DXA Body Composition Scan; Rajaei et al., Correlating Whole-Body Bone Mineral Densitometry Measurements to Those From Local Anatomical Sites, Iranian Journal of Radiology (2016); World Osteoporosis Day 2026.

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication, diet or exercise program.