By ToolzHive
About this tool
The waist-to-height ratio divides your waist size by your height. It is one of the simplest and most useful health measures: guidance from the UK's NICE and many researchers says to keep your waist to less than half your height. Because it measures belly fat, it predicts risks like heart disease and diabetes well for adults of any height.
How to use Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
- Choose metric or imperial units.
- Measure your waist halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, and enter your height.
- Read your ratio and risk band, and the waist size you should stay under.
Worked example
Someone who is 175 cm tall should keep their waist under 87.5 cm. With an 85 cm waist, their ratio is 0.49, inside the healthy range.
What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
A ratio from 0.40 to 0.49 is generally considered healthy. From 0.50 to 0.59 means increased risk, and 0.60 or more means high risk.
Does it work for everyone?
It works well for most adults and is often used for children over five too. It is less meaningful during pregnancy.
Why use it instead of BMI?
BMI does not show where fat is stored. Fat around the organs in the abdomen is the most harmful kind, and waist size measures it more directly.
Put this guide into practice
- Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator — Check whether your waist is less than half your height, a simple health marker.