Enter your waist circumference and height to calculate your waist-to-height ratio and assess your level of central body fat.
Waist-to-height ratio is a simple measure that compares your waist circumference with your height.
It can be used as an additional indicator of central body fat and may provide useful information about health risk in adults.
Unlike body weight alone, waist-to-height ratio considers the distribution of body fat around the waist in relation to a person’s height.
The calculation is straightforward: divide your waist circumference by your height using the same unit for both measurements.
For example, if your waist circumference is 90 cm and your height is 175 cm, the ratio is approximately 0.51.
For adults, waist-to-height ratio can be used as a practical indicator of central body fat. The following ranges provide a general reference.
| Ratio | General Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 0.40 | Below the commonly used adult reference range |
| 0.40 – 0.49 | Common reference range |
| 0.50 – 0.59 | Increased central body fat |
| 0.60 or higher | Higher health risk |
These ranges are general reference values for adults and should not be used as a diagnosis. Individual assessment may vary depending on age, sex, ethnicity, medical history, and other health factors.
Waist-to-height ratio is a useful screening measure, but it cannot provide a complete assessment of a person’s health on its own.
The measurement may provide additional information about central body fat that is not captured by body weight or BMI alone.
For this reason, the result should be interpreted together with other measurements and individual health factors.
A healthcare professional can help interpret the result in the context of your overall health, lifestyle, medical history, and other risk factors.
BMI and waist-to-height ratio measure different aspects of body size and health.
BMI compares body weight with height, while waist-to-height ratio focuses on waist circumference in relation to height.
Using both measurements may provide a broader picture than relying on either measurement alone.
Waist circumference can provide information about fat stored around the abdomen.
Higher levels of abdominal fat may be associated with an increased risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Waist-to-height ratio provides a simple way to place waist circumference in relation to a person’s height.
Waist-to-height ratio is the waist circumference divided by height. It is used as a simple indicator of central body fat in adults.
Divide your waist circumference by your height. Both measurements should be entered using the same unit, such as centimetres.
For adults, a waist-to-height ratio below 0.50 is commonly used as a practical reference. Results should be interpreted in the context of the individual’s overall health.
A ratio of 0.50 is an important reference point. NICE guidance highlights the importance of keeping waist circumference below half of height in adults.
Waist-to-height ratio and BMI measure different aspects of body size. Neither should be considered a complete health assessment on its own.
This calculator is designed primarily for adults. Children and adolescents should be assessed using age- and sex-specific growth and clinical assessment methods.