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How to calculate it
Waist-to-height ratio = waist ÷ height
Use the same units for both: inches with inches, or centimeters with centimeters.
85 cm waist ÷ 175 cm height = 0.49
What the ratio means
In 2022, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended using these ranges for adults alongside BMI:1
| Ratio | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.4 to 0.49 | Healthy, no increased risk |
| 0.5 to 0.59 | Increased health risk |
| 0.6 and above | High health risk |
How to measure your waist
- Stand up straight and breathe out normally.
- Find the point midway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, or use your belly button if that's easier.
- Wrap a tape measure around, keeping it level and snug but not pressing into the skin.
- Read it at the end of a normal breath out, without holding your stomach in.
Why it works for all heights
A fixed waist cutoff, like 40 inches, means different things for a short and a tall person.2 Dividing by height adjusts for that, so the same 0.5 rule works for men, women and different ethnic groups.1
| What waist-to-height ratio shows | What it doesn't show |
|---|---|
| Fat stored around your stomach | Your total body fat percentage |
| Health risk adjusted for your height | How much of your weight is muscle |
| A simple check against one rule: under 0.5 | A diagnosis; it's a screening measure |
| Risk on the same scale for men and women | Fat stored on your hips and thighs |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good waist-to-height ratio?
Under 0.5. Very low ratios (under 0.4) can go with being underweight.
Is waist-to-height ratio better than BMI?
It's better at showing fat around the stomach, which is closely linked with health risk. Using both is better than either alone. Other measures.
Sources
This page is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a healthcare professional about your weight and health.
