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Waist-to-height ratio calculator

One simple check of where your body stores fat: keep your waist to less than half your height.

Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Height
cm
Waist
cm

Measure around your middle, halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips, after breathing out normally.

Waist-to-height ratio—

Half your height
—
Your waist
—

For general wellness only. These results are estimates from published formulas and guidelines, not a diagnosis or medical advice. They may not suit pregnancy, children, older adults, athletes or people with health conditions. Talk to a qualified health professional about your health. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

How to use the waist-to-height ratio calculator

Waist-to-height ratio is your waist measurement divided by your height, in the same units. NICE NG246 bands: 0.4 to 0.49 means healthy central adiposity, 0.5 to 0.59 increased central adiposity (increased health risks), and 0.6 or more high central adiposity (further increased health risks).

  1. Choose your units.
  2. Enter your height.
  3. Measure your waist halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, and enter it.
  4. Read your ratio and band.

Understanding your result

Under 0.5 means your waist is less than half your height, which NICE treats as healthy central adiposity. 0.5 to 0.59 is linked with increased health risks, and 0.6 or more with further increased risks. If your ratio is 0.5 or higher, the result shows the waist size that would bring you under 0.5.

Sources

Sources checked on 9 October 2026. Formulas and thresholds are used as published; the wording on this page is our own.

Questions

Does the 0.5 rule work for everyone?
NICE found the evidence pointed to about 0.5 for all ethnicities and sexes, and uses the same boundary for children and young people. Some studies in particular populations suggest slightly different cut-offs, so treat it as a general guide.
What if my ratio is under 0.4?
NICE doesn’t give a band below 0.4. If you’re worried about being underweight, check your BMI too and talk to a health professional.
Is this better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI compares weight with height; waist-to-height shows fat around the middle, which is linked to health risks. NICE recommends using both for adults with a BMI under 35.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It compares your numbers with published ranges for general wellness. Only a qualified health professional can assess your health, taking your history and other tests into account.

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