Waist to Height Ratio Calculator

The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your height. It measures how much central (abdominal) fat you carry relative to your stature. A ratio of 0.5 or below is generally considered healthy — meaning your waist should be no more than half your height.

WHtR is a strong predictor of cardiometabolic health risks, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure. Because it accounts for body size proportionally, it can be more informative than waist circumference alone, and is often considered a useful complement to BMI.

Divide your waist circumference by your height, both measured in the same units. For example, if your waist is 80 cm and your height is 170 cm: 80 ÷ 170 = 0.47. A result under 0.5 is in the healthy range.

A WHtR below 0.5 is generally considered low risk. Between 0.5 and 0.59 is moderate risk, and 0.6 or above is high risk. Some guidelines use slightly different thresholds for men and women, but the 'keep your waist to less than half your height' rule applies broadly to adults.

Stand relaxed and locate the narrowest part of your torso — usually just above the belly button. Wrap a flexible tape measure around this point, keeping it parallel to the floor and snug but not tight. Take the measurement after a normal exhale for the most accurate result.

Research suggests WHtR may be a better predictor of cardiovascular and metabolic risk than BMI because it specifically measures central fat distribution. However, both metrics are useful, and neither replaces a full clinical assessment by a healthcare professional.

This calculator is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant individuals, those with eating disorders, people with growth conditions affecting their height, or those with a BMI over 35 (adults). If any of these apply, please consult your GP or pharmacist instead.

As a general rule, your waist circumference should be less than half your height. For example, if you are 170 cm tall, your waist should ideally be under 85 cm. This applies to both men and women across most adult age groups.