Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator

About This Calculator

Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is one of the simplest screening tools for cardiometabolic health. Divide your waist circumference by your height — both in the same unit — to get a number that research links to metabolic risk more consistently than BMI or waist circumference alone. The key message: keep your waist to less than half your height (WHtR < 0.50).

How It Works

Measure your waist at its narrowest point (usually just above the navel) and your height in the same unit (cm or inches). Enter both values; the calculator divides them and places you in one of four risk bands based on research by Ashwell and colleagues. The 0.50 boundary — waist equal to half your height — is the primary public-health threshold.

The Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

How is WHtR different from waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)?

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) uses hip circumference as the denominator and has separate thresholds by sex (WHO 2000). WHtR uses height and a single threshold (0.50) that applies regardless of sex or ethnicity. Research suggests WHtR may be a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic risk, especially across diverse populations, because height-adjusting accounts for body size.

Where should I measure my waist?

Measure at the narrowest part of your torso — typically 1–2 cm above the belly button for most adults. Exhale normally and keep the tape horizontal and snug but not tight. Avoid measuring after a large meal.

Is WHtR better than BMI?

For cardiometabolic risk screening, WHtR has advantages over BMI because it captures where fat is stored, not just how much. A systematic review (Browning et al. 2010, Obesity Reviews) found WHtR consistently predicted metabolic risk factors better than either BMI or waist circumference alone across most populations studied. That said, all screening tools have limits — a full clinical assessment gives the most complete picture.