Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
The waist-to-height ratio compares your waist circumference to your height. A widely cited guideline is to keep your waist under half your height (“keep your waist to less than half your height”), which correlates well with cardiovascular risk across populations.
Enter your waist and height in the same units. The calculator returns the ratio and whether it sits in the healthy range.
It is a stronger predictor of metabolic risk than BMI for many people, because it captures abdominal fat directly — and the rule is easy to remember: keep your waist under half your height.
Enter your values to see the result.
How this is calculated
The waist-to-height ratio divides your waist circumference by your height, using the same units for both. A widely cited guideline is to keep the ratio below 0.5 — "keep your waist to less than half your height" — which correlates well with cardiovascular risk across populations. This calculator returns the ratio and a quick read: below 0.5 is healthy, 0.5–0.6 indicates increased risk, and above 0.6 higher risk.
Unlike BMI, which only relates weight to height, WHtR captures where you carry fat. Excess abdominal fat is more strongly linked to metabolic problems than fat carried on the hips, so WHtR often flags risk that BMI misses, especially across different ethnic groups with different body compositions.
The model uses a single waist measurement and your height, with no adjustment for age, sex, or frame. It does not distinguish subcutaneous from visceral fat (the latter is riskier), and the 0.5 cut-off is a general guideline rather than a clinical threshold. Measure the waist halfway between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hip bone, after a normal exhale, with the tape snug but not compressing.
Worked example
A 175 cm adult with an 85 cm waist.
- 1Ratio = waist ÷ height = 85 ÷ 175 = 0.486.
- 2At 0.486 the ratio sits just under 0.5, in the healthy range.
- 3If the waist rose to 95 cm, the ratio would be 0.543 — increased risk.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
- A ratio below 0.5 is generally considered healthy for most adults. Between 0.5 and 0.6 indicates increased risk, and above 0.6 higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
- How does WHtR compare to BMI?
- WHtR captures abdominal fat, which BMI misses. It often predicts metabolic risk better than BMI, especially across different ethnic groups.
- Where should I measure my waist?
- Halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, measured after a normal exhale, with the tape snug but not compressing.
- What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
- A ratio below 0.5 is generally considered healthy for most adults. Between 0.5 and 0.6 indicates increased risk, and above 0.6 higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
- How does WHtR compare to BMI?
- WHtR captures abdominal fat, which BMI misses. It often predicts metabolic risk better than BMI, especially across different ethnic groups, because where you carry fat matters as much as how much you carry.
Related calculators
Method: waist circumference ÷ height with 0.5 risk threshold. No external data source. Last updated: September 2026.
These results are general estimates from established formulas and are not medical advice. They depend on the accuracy of the values you enter and on individual factors the formulas cannot capture. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your diet, training or treatment.