Healthy range
An 80 cm waist and 175 cm height give 0.46 — healthy. A waist under 87.5 cm keeps the ratio below 0.5.
Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Check your waist-to-height ratio, the measure the UK's NICE uses alongside BMI.
Result
Enter your values and select Calculate to see the result.
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How the Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator works
Divide your waist by your height, in the same unit. The UK's NICE guideline (2022) advises adults to keep their waist to less than half their height, because fat around the middle is linked with health risks that BMI alone can miss.
Measure halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, after breathing out normally.
Formula
ratio = waist ÷ height
Under 0.4: take care; 0.4 to 0.49: healthy; 0.5 to 0.59: increased health risk; 0.6 or more: high health risk (NICE, for adults).
Examples
Increased risk
A 95 cm waist at the same height gives 0.54: increased health risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better than BMI?
It adds information BMI lacks — where fat is carried. NICE suggests using both for adults with a BMI under 35.
Does it work in inches?
Yes. It's a ratio, so any unit works as long as waist and height use the same one.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. It's a screening measure for general information; talk to a health professional about your health.
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