Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
Keep your waist under half your height — the simplest central-obesity screen.
Measurements
Your ratio
Why this is gaining on BMI
Waist-to-height ratio divides waist circumference by height, and the guidance is memorable enough to need no calculator at all: keep your waist under half your height. A ratio below 0.5 is the healthy range, 0.5 to 0.6 indicates increased risk, and above 0.6 indicates high risk. The same boundary applies regardless of sex, and broadly across ethnic groups.
Its advantage over BMI is that it measures where fat sits rather than how much you weigh. Visceral fat around the organs is far more strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk than subcutaneous fat on the hips and thighs, and BMI cannot distinguish the two at all. That is why a muscular athlete and someone with normal-weight central obesity can share a BMI while having very different risk profiles — WHtR separates them.
Institutional adoption has followed the evidence. NICE guidance in the UK recommends WHtR alongside BMI, and the US Department of Defense has moved to incorporate waist-to-height ratio into body composition standards. Measurement technique matters: measure at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, at the end of a normal exhale, with the tape snug but not compressing the skin.
Medical disclaimer. This calculator is for general information and education only. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a substitute for professional care. This is a screening ratio, not a diagnosis, and it is not validated for children under five or during pregnancy.Speak to a doctor or another qualified clinician about any health decision.Last reviewed .
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist to height ratio?
Below 0.5 — your waist should measure less than half your height. Between 0.5 and 0.6 indicates increased risk, and above 0.6 indicates high risk. The threshold is the same for men and women.
Is waist to height ratio better than BMI?
For predicting cardiometabolic risk, evidence increasingly suggests it is. BMI measures mass without regard to where fat is stored, while WHtR captures central adiposity, which is the more dangerous pattern. Most guidance now recommends using both rather than replacing one with the other.
Where exactly should I measure my waist?
At the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, which is usually just above the navel. Measure at the end of a normal breath out, standing relaxed, with the tape horizontal and snug without compressing the skin.
Does the threshold change with age or sex?
The 0.5 boundary applies to adults of both sexes and holds across most ethnic groups, which is part of its appeal. Some guidance uses slightly lower thresholds for children, and it is not used during pregnancy.
Can I have a healthy BMI and an unhealthy waist ratio?
Yes, and it is a recognised pattern sometimes called normal-weight central obesity. It carries elevated metabolic risk despite a BMI in the healthy band, which is precisely the case BMI alone misses.