Waist-to-height calculator
One of the simplest health rules: keep your waist under half your height. It captures central fat risk that BMI misses.
Waist-to-height calculator
Is your waist half your height?
Waist-to-height ratio is one of the simplest health signals: keeping your waist under half your height is the rule of thumb that captures central fat risk without any tables.
What the ratio means
Measure your waist at navel level, after breathing out. Divide it by your height (same units). Below 0.5 is the target for most adults; 0.5–0.59 means increased risk; 0.6 or above means high risk.
Your result
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Enter your waist and height to see your ratio.
Discuss my result with a doctorA screening signal, not a diagnosis. Blood pressure, glucose and lipids tell the fuller story — a doctor reads them together.
About waist-to-height ratio
- What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
- Below 0.5 — your waist should be less than half your height. 0.5–0.59 means increased metabolic risk, and 0.6 or above means high risk. It is a simple screening signal that captures central fat risk.
- How do I measure my waist correctly?
- Stand straight, breathe out normally, and measure at the level of your navel (for men) or the narrowest point (for women), with the tape snug but not compressing the skin.
- Is waist-to-height ratio better than BMI?
- For capturing central (abdominal) fat risk, yes — it uses waist circumference, which BMI ignores. The two are complementary: BMI tracks overall weight status, waist-to-height tracks where the fat sits.
- How quickly can my waist-to-height ratio improve?
- Waist circumference usually responds within 4–8 weeks of a consistent calorie deficit and activity plan — abdominal fat is among the first fat stores mobilised during weight loss.