Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) — a simple and reliable indicator of central adiposity and cardiometabolic risk.
Enter your values and click Calculate
The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is considered a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome than BMI alone, because it specifically captures central (abdominal) fat distribution rather than total body mass. Abdominal fat stored around the organs is more metabolically active and more strongly linked to health risk than fat stored elsewhere in the body. A widely cited public health guideline is to keep your waist circumference below half your height — a WHtR below 0.5. Enter your waist circumference and height in centimeters to get your ratio and a health category classification. Unlike BMI, WHtR applies the same 0.5 threshold across different heights, making it a simpler and more universally applicable screening tool for central obesity risk in adults aged 18 and over. Research published in major cardiology and endocrinology journals consistently shows that WHtR performs as well as or better than BMI for predicting metabolic complications, and it is easier to calculate — just measure your waist and compare it to your height. A person who is 175 cm tall should aim to keep their waist below 87.5 cm to remain in the healthy range.
How It Works
WHtR = waist circumference (cm) ÷ height (cm). The result is a dimensionless ratio, typically between 0.3 and 0.7 for adults. Both measurements must use the same unit — centimeters in this calculator — since the ratio is purely proportional and cancels out the unit. The calculator classifies the ratio into one of four health bands based on published meta-analyses and public health guidelines: • < 0.40 — Extremely slim, potential underweight risk • 0.40–0.49 — Healthy range, low cardiometabolic risk • 0.50–0.59 — Overweight range, increased risk • ≥ 0.60 — Very high risk, strong association with metabolic disease These thresholds align with the widely cited public health guideline to keep waist circumference below half your height. For example, a person 175 cm tall should aim for a waist of less than 87.5 cm to stay in the healthy range.