Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Divide your waist by your height to get the waist-to-height ratio, a simple, strong indicator of health risk that works across ages and body types. Calculates in your browser.
Waist-to-height ratio
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Show the math
The ratio is simply your waist divided by your height:
ratio = waist ÷ height
A widely used rule is to keep your waist under half your height, a ratio below 0.5. It targets fat stored around the abdomen, which is more tightly linked to health risk than overall weight, and needs no age or sex tables.
What this does
A waist-to-height ratio calculator divides your waist by your height to give a simple, strong indicator of health risk that works across ages and body types.
How it works
Dividing your waist measurement by your height gives the ratio. Because it focuses on fat stored around the abdomen, it tracks health risk more closely than overall weight and needs no age- or sex-specific tables.
Ratio = waist ÷ height
How to use it
- Measure your waist at the narrowest point.
- Enter your waist and height in the same units.
- Read your waist-to-height ratio.
- Compare it against the 0.5 guideline.
Understanding your result
A common guideline is to keep your waist under half your height, a ratio below 0.5. Higher ratios signal more central fat and greater health risk.
Example
A 32-inch waist with a 70-inch height gives a ratio of about 0.46, within the lower-risk range.
Sources & methodology
- NIH, Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk, Waist size and health risk
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
A common guideline is to keep your waist under half your height, a ratio below 0.5. Higher ratios signal more central fat and greater health risk.
Why use it instead of BMI?
It focuses on fat stored around the abdomen, which is more closely linked to health risk than overall weight. It also needs no sex- or age-specific tables.
Where should I measure my waist?
Around the narrowest point between your ribs and hips (roughly at the navel), relaxed, with the tape snug but not digging in.
Is my data stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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