Calculate your Waist-to-Height Ratio to assess abdominal obesity risk.
Waist-to-Height Ratio
0.471
Category
Healthy
| Category | WHtR Range | Your WHtR |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 0.40 | — |
| Healthy | 0.40 – 0.49 | 0.471 |
| Overweight | 0.50 – 0.59 | — |
| Obese | ≥ 0.60 | — |
Scenario: Let's walk through a practical example of Waist-to-Height Ratio calculation.
Step 1 — Measure your waist: Using a flexible tape at navel level, measure your waist circumference. For this example, let's use 80 cm.
Step 2 — Measure your height: Stand against a wall and measure your height. For this example, let's use 170 cm.
Step 3 — Calculate: WHtR = 80 ÷ 170 = 0.471. This falls in the healthy range (0.40–0.49), indicating a healthy waist-to-height ratio.
Formula: WHtR = waist circumference / height
A WHtR below 0.5 is generally considered healthy for both men and women. Values above 0.5 indicate increased health risk, and above 0.6 indicates significantly elevated risk.
WHtR = waist circumference ÷ height. Both measurements use the same unit (e.g., centimeters). For example, a waist of 80 cm and height of 170 cm gives WHtR = 80 ÷ 170 ≈ 0.47.
Research suggests WHtR may be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI because it directly accounts for abdominal fat, which is the most dangerous type of fat for metabolic health.
Measure your waist at the navel (belly button) level, standing upright with feet together. Use a flexible tape measure snug but not compressing the skin, and measure after exhaling normally.
WHtR thresholds for children differ by age. A value of 0.5 is commonly used as a screening cutoff, but pediatric assessment should be done by a healthcare professional using age-specific growth charts.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual results may vary. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.