Calculate adult waist circumference divided by height using the same length unit.
Values are calculated on this page only; they are not sent to or saved on a server.
How does WHtR differ from BMI?
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) divides waist circumference by height. BMI describes weight relative to height; WHtR describes waist size relative to height. People with the same BMI can have different waist measurements, so the two measures provide different information about body size.
WHtR is an indirect indicator of central adiposity. It does not measure visceral-fat mass or body-fat percentage, and a result in a healthy band does not rule out high blood pressure, abnormal glucose, or other risk factors.
How to measure your waist
- Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. Place the tape midway between those landmarks, on bare skin or over light clothing. Clothing size is not a substitute for a waist measurement.
- Keep the tape level and snug without pressing deeply into the skin. Breathe out naturally and avoid deliberately drawing in your abdomen.
- Enter both measurements in centimetres. Do not enter an inch measurement in a field labelled cm.
- When comparing results over time, keep the location, posture, and tape tension consistent and record the date.
Formula and examples
WHtR = waist circumference (cm) / height (cm). The length units cancel, leaving a ratio without a unit. At a waist of 80 cm and height of 170 cm, 80 / 170 = 0.470588…; the calculator displays 0.471.
| Waist | WHtR | Band below |
|---|---|---|
| 68 cm | 0.400 | Healthy central adiposity |
| 80 cm | 0.471 | Healthy central adiposity |
| 85 cm | 0.500 | Increased central adiposity |
| 102 cm | 0.600 | High central adiposity |
Half of 170 cm is 85 cm. A target of under half your height is therefore different from exactly 85 cm. Classification uses the unrounded ratio, even though the display shows three decimal places.
Understanding the result bands
This page uses the adult central-adiposity bands in NICE NG246. NICE uses WHtR alongside BMI, particularly in adults with BMI below 35. These are not the same as a country's sex-specific waist-circumference thresholds.
- Below 0.4: outside the healthy band specified here. This result alone does not establish good or poor nutritional health.
- 0.4 to under 0.5: healthy central adiposity.
- 0.5 to under 0.6: increased central adiposity.
- 0.6 or above: high central adiposity; assess the result with other health risks.
Keeping waist circumference under half of height is a practical general message. It is not an individual prescription for weight loss, a target weight, or a decision about treatment.
When this adult measure needs caution
Pregnancy, ascites, or other causes of abdominal enlargement can make ordinary waist-based interpretation inappropriate. At BMI 35 or above, the measure may add less useful information. Children and adolescents require an age-appropriate assessment rather than automatic use of this adult tool.
The accepted input ranges—waist 30–250 cm and height 100–250 cm—are software checks to reduce entry errors. They do not establish equal clinical validity for every body size within those limits.
Use consistent trends and other health information
A small difference between two measurements may reflect where the tape was placed or how you were breathing. Recheck the technique before concluding that body fat has changed. Recording weight, measurement date, and method alongside the ratio makes a trend easier to discuss.
The adult BMI calculator provides the complementary weight-to-height measure. Neither tool replaces a broader assessment including blood pressure, glucose, lipids, and personal or family history.
Frequently asked questions
Can BMI be in the normal range while WHtR is high?
Yes. Total body weight and its distribution are different information. Check the measurement technique and discuss the waist result with your other health indicators.
Can I always measure at the belly button?
This page follows NICE's midpoint between the lower ribs and top of the hips. The belly button or trouser waistband is not a consistent substitute. Avoid mixing measurement methods when following a trend.
Questions for a health appointment
- How should I interpret waist size and BMI in my own circumstances?
- Should blood pressure, glucose, or lipid results also be reviewed?
- How often and by what method should I record waist and weight changes?
Related tools and sources
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- NICE NG246: measurement and adult WHtR bands
- NICE: rationale for central-adiposity assessment
- NICE QS212: recording adult BMI and WHtR
Prepared and sources checked by Life Choice Note, 26 September 2026. This is general education checked against the cited sources, not independently physician-reviewed guidance or an individual diagnosis, treatment, or exercise prescription. Editorial standards · Terms and disclaimer