Skip to content

Waist-to-height ratio

Waist-to-height ratio

See how your waist measurement compares with your height. Add your weight to check whether the adult interpretation applies.

For adults 20 and older, outside pregnancy. Interpretation applies when BMI is below 35.

Your result

—

Enter your measurements to see your results.

How this works

Measure around your waist midway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, with the tape level. Breathe out normally; do not pull the tape tight. Divide waist by height using the same unit.

For adults 20 and older, outside pregnancy. NICE uses waist-to-height alongside BMI when BMI is below 35: 0.40 to below 0.50 is its healthy central adiposity range; 0.50 to below 0.60 is increased; 0.60 or more is high. Below 0.40 is outside these categories. The interpretation describes abdominal fat distribution and is a screening aid, not a diagnosis.

Without a valid weight, only the ratio is shown. At BMI 35 or above, the ratio is still calculated but no NICE category is assigned. NICE NG246

Your entries stay on this page. This tool does not send or save your measurements.

Your waist-to-height ratio compares your waist measurement with your height. For example, a waist measuring 85 cm and a height of 170 cm produce a ratio of 0.50—meaning the waist is half the person’s height.

Choose US or metric units, then enter your height and waist measurement. To measure your waist, locate the space between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone. Wrap a measuring tape around the midpoint, keeping it level and snug without pressing into your skin. Take the measurement after breathing out normally.

Add your weight so the calculator can check your BMI before displaying an interpretation. For adults with BMI below 35, the NICE categories used here are:

  • 0.40 to below 0.50: Healthy central adiposity range.
  • 0.50 to below 0.60: Increased central adiposity.
  • 0.60 or higher: High central adiposity.

“Central adiposity” means fat carried around the abdomen. These categories provide screening information rather than a complete assessment of health. A result below 0.40 falls outside these categories and does not automatically mean better health.

This tool is intended for adults aged 20 and older, outside pregnancy. Without a valid weight—or at BMI 35 or above—it displays the ratio without assigning a category. Use Print results to keep a copy of your measurements and explanation.