Calculator
Waist-to-height ratio.
Enter your waist and height to see your waist-to-height ratio and where it sits against the commonly cited 0.5 reference cutoff. Switch between metric and imperial units freely. Nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere.
- waist ÷ height formula
- 0.5 reference cutoff
- Metric & imperial
Your measurements
Your ratio updates automatically as you type.
Your result
For reference, a waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is the most commonly cited cutoff in published research. This is a general reference point, not a diagnosis or a target.
What the ratio is
The waist-to-height ratio is your waist circumference divided by your height, in the same unit for both. It is a simple way to describe how waist size compares to overall stature, and it is easy to measure and compare over time.
The formula
Ratio = waist ÷ height. If you enter imperial measurements, this calculator converts them to metric first, but since both values convert the same way, the ratio is identical.
The reference cutoff
A ratio below 0.5 is the most commonly cited cutoff in published research. It is presented here as a general reference point on the scale, not as a target, a diagnosis, or a determination about your health.
How to measure your waist
Measure around the narrowest part of your torso, roughly level with your navel, with the tape snug but not compressing the skin, at the end of a normal breath out.
Educational screening reference. Not medical advice. The waist-to-height ratio is a general reference signal and cannot diagnose any condition. It is not a measure of health, and it is not an eligibility check for any program or treatment. For questions about your health, talk with a licensed physician. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.