diff --git a/src/body/Body.js b/src/body/Body.js
index 12aa8ec3..ac4dd75b 100644
--- a/src/body/Body.js
+++ b/src/body/Body.js
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ var Body = {};
     Body._inertiaScale = 4;
 
     var _nextCollidingGroupId = 1,
-        _nextNonCollidingGroupId = -1;
+        _nextNonCollidingGroupId = -1,
+        _nextCategory = 0x0001;
 
     /**
      * Creates a new rigid body model. The options parameter is an object that specifies any properties you wish to override the defaults.
@@ -89,6 +90,17 @@ var Body = {};
         return _nextCollidingGroupId++;
     };
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the next unique category bitfield (starting after the initial default category `0x0001`).
+     * There are 32 available. See `body.collisionFilter` for more information.
+     * @method nextCategory
+     * @return {Number} Unique category bitfield
+     */
+    Body.nextCategory = function() {
+        _nextCategory = _nextCategory << 1;
+        return _nextCategory;
+    };
+
     /**
      * Initialises body properties.
      * @method _initProperties