Below 0.4
Low
May be lower than expected. Consider your wider health, nutrition and weight history.
Free adult health calculator
Metric or imperial
Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Compare your waist measurement with your height to check whether your waist size is less than half your height. Waist-to-height ratio can help estimate health risk from fat carried around the middle.
Important: This tool is for general adult health information only. It cannot diagnose a condition. Speak to a GP, pharmacist, dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional if you are worried about your weight, waist size or health.
Simple result
Get your waist-to-height ratio instantly.
Central fat guide
Understand what your category may mean.
Works with BMI
Use alongside BMI for better context.
Waist-to-height guide
What is waist-to-height ratio?
Waist-to-height ratio compares your waist measurement with your height. It is a simple way to estimate central adiposity, which means fat carried around the middle of the body.
It can be helpful because waist size gives information that BMI alone can miss. BMI compares weight with height, but it does not show where fat is carried. Waist-to-height ratio focuses on abdominal fat, which can be more closely linked with some weight-related health risks.
Simple rule
A practical guide is to keep your waist measurement below half your height. For example, if you are 170 cm tall, half your height is 85 cm, so a waist below 85 cm would be below a ratio of 0.5.
Waist-to-height ratio categories
The table below shows commonly used waist-to-height ratio categories for adults. These ranges are a guide only and should be considered alongside your overall health, BMI, medical history and symptoms.
0.4 to 0.49
Healthy central adiposity
Generally indicates no increased health risk from central adiposity.
0.5 to 0.59
Increased central adiposity
Can indicate increased health risk from fat carried around the middle.
0.6 or above
High central adiposity
Can indicate further increased health risk. Consider seeking professional advice.
Waist size chart
Waist size guide by height
This table shows the waist measurement equal to half your height. A waist measurement at or above this level gives a waist-to-height ratio of 0.5 or more.
| Height | Half your height | Increased range starts at | High range starts at |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 75 cm | 75 cm or more | 90 cm or more |
| 155 cm | 77.5 cm | 77.5 cm or more | 93 cm or more |
| 160 cm | 80 cm | 80 cm or more | 96 cm or more |
| 165 cm | 82.5 cm | 82.5 cm or more | 99 cm or more |
| 170 cm | 85 cm | 85 cm or more | 102 cm or more |
| 175 cm | 87.5 cm | 87.5 cm or more | 105 cm or more |
| 180 cm | 90 cm | 90 cm or more | 108 cm or more |
| 185 cm | 92.5 cm | 92.5 cm or more | 111 cm or more |
| 190 cm | 95 cm | 95 cm or more | 114 cm or more |
| 195 cm | 97.5 cm | 97.5 cm or more | 117 cm or more |
Note: This chart gives approximate adult guidance. Use the calculator above for your exact result.
Why waist size matters
Fat carried around the middle can be linked with higher risk of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
How it differs from BMI
BMI uses height and weight. Waist-to-height ratio uses waist size and height, so it gives more information about where fat is carried.
Best used together
Waist-to-height ratio can be useful alongside BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, lifestyle and medical history.
How to measure
How to measure your waist accurately
A small difference in where or how you measure can change your result. Try to measure in the same way each time, and do not pull the tape measure tight to get a smaller number.
Step-by-step
- Stand upright with your feet close together.
- Find the midpoint between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.
- Wrap the tape measure around your waist at that level.
- Breathe out naturally.
- Take the measurement without pulling the tape tight.
Common mistakes
- Measuring over thick clothing.
- Measuring at the hips instead of the waist.
- Holding your breath or pulling your stomach in.
- Pulling the tape measure too tightly.
What to do next
Below 0.4
This may be lower than expected. Consider your nutrition, weight history and symptoms, especially if weight loss was unplanned.
0.4 to 0.49
This is generally within the healthy central adiposity range. Keep focusing on balanced nutrition, activity and sleep.
0.5 to 0.59
This can indicate increased risk. Small, sustainable lifestyle changes and checking BMI may help give more context.
0.6 or above
This can indicate higher risk. Consider speaking to a GP or qualified clinician for a fuller health assessment.
Waist-to-height ratio FAQs
What is waist-to-height ratio? +
Waist-to-height ratio compares your waist measurement with your height. It can help estimate whether you may be carrying more fat around your middle than is ideal for general health.
How do I calculate waist-to-height ratio? +
Divide your waist measurement by your height using the same unit for both. For example, an 85 cm waist and 170 cm height gives a waist-to-height ratio of 0.50.
What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio? +
For adults, a waist-to-height ratio from 0.4 to 0.49 is commonly described as healthy central adiposity. A simple public health message is to keep your waist measurement below half your height.
What does a waist-to-height ratio of 0.5 mean? +
A waist-to-height ratio of 0.5 means your waist measurement is half your height. This is often used as a practical threshold where health risk may start to increase.
What does a waist-to-height ratio of 0.6 or more mean? +
A waist-to-height ratio of 0.6 or more is commonly described as high central adiposity and may indicate further increased health risk. Consider discussing your result with a GP or qualified healthcare professional.
Is waist-to-height ratio better than BMI? +
Waist-to-height ratio and BMI measure different things. BMI compares weight with height, while waist-to-height ratio gives more information about fat carried around the middle. They can be useful together.
Who should use this calculator? +
This calculator is intended for general adult health information. It should not be used to diagnose a condition or replace advice from a GP, pharmacist, dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional.
How should I measure my waist? +
Measure around your middle, roughly halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement. Do not pull the tape measure too tight.
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Sources and review
This page provides general health information and should not replace advice from a GP, pharmacist, dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional.
Waist-to-height ratio categories and guidance on this page are based on widely used public health guidance. Before publishing, add your own medical reviewer, review date and editorial policy link.
NHS waist-to-height ratio
NHS guidance on calculating waist-to-height ratio and keeping waist size below half your height.
NICE obesity guidance
NICE guidance on identifying and assessing overweight, obesity and central adiposity.
NHS adult BMI calculator
NHS guidance on adult BMI and how BMI can be used alongside waist measurements.
Suggested review note
Last reviewed by AllHealthandCare editorial team: May 2026. Next review due: May 2027.