Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
A better risk screen than BMI: keep your waist under half your height.
Enter your values
Enter the waist circumference in cm.
Enter the height in cm.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Waist to height ratio
- 0.491
- Category
- healthy
- Healthy waist target
- under 87.5 cm
- Change needed
- none — you are inside the target
- Waist in inches
- 33.9 in
Working
- 186 / 175 = 0.491
Quick answer
Waist to height ratio divides waist by height. Below 0.5 is the healthy target for adults, and it predicts cardiometabolic risk better than BMI.
WHtR = waist / height
At a glance
| What it does | A better risk screen than BMI: keep your waist under half your height. |
|---|---|
| Category | Health |
| Inputs needed | Waist circumference, Height |
| Main output | Waist to height ratio |
| Formula | WHtR = waist / height |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
- 1Measure your waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out.
- 2Enter height in the same unit as your waist measurement.
- 3Aim to keep the ratio under 0.5 — the simplest version is keep your waist under half your height.
Inputs explained
- Waist circumference(cm)
- Enter the waist circumference in cm.
- Height(cm)
- Enter the height in cm.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Waist circumference86 cm
- Height175 cm
Results
- Waist to height ratio0.491
- Categoryhealthy
- Healthy waist targetunder 87.5 cm
- Change needednone — you are inside the target
- Waist in inches33.9 in
- 86 / 175 = 0.491
Frequently asked questions
Is WHtR better than BMI?
For cardiometabolic risk, yes. It captures central fat, which BMI cannot distinguish from muscle or hip and leg mass.
Does the 0.5 boundary apply to children?
The same rule of thumb is used from age six upwards, though clinicians use age-specific charts for formal assessment.
What do I need to enter into the Waist to Height Ratio Calculator?
Just 2 values: waist circumference, height. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Waist to Height Ratio Calculator work out the answer?
Waist to height ratio divides waist by height. Below 0.5 is the healthy target for adults, and it predicts cardiometabolic risk better than BMI. It applies the formula WHtR = waist / height and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Waist to Height Ratio Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.