Waist-to-Height Ratio
WHtR Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-height ratio and see how your result compares with current adult central-adiposity ranges.
Use the same unit for waist and height. NICE advises adults to try to keep their waist measurement below half their height.
Simple measurement ratio
Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Enter your waist circumference and height in either inches or centimetres. The calculator divides waist by height and places the result in the current NICE adult central-adiposity ranges.
Example: 34 in ÷ 68 in = 0.50.
Your waist-to-height ratio, current NICE category, half-height target, and visual range will appear here.
Central adiposity
What Is WHtR?
Waist-to-height ratio compares waist circumference with height. NICE uses it, alongside BMI, as a practical estimate of central adiposity in adults with BMI below 35 kg/m².
It is a screening measure rather than a diagnosis. A higher ratio indicates more waist circumference relative to height and should be interpreted with other health information.
Simple formula
How to Calculate Waist-to-Height Ratio
Measure waist and height in the same unit, then divide waist circumference by height.
Example: a 34-inch waist and 68-inch height gives 34 ÷ 68 = 0.50. The same formula works in centimetres.
Adult interpretation
WHtR Categories for Adults
NICE uses the following adult categories when WHtR is used to classify central adiposity.
| WHtR | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0.40–0.49 | Healthy central adiposity |
| 0.50–0.59 | Increased central adiposity |
| 0.60 or higher | High central adiposity |
Measurement accuracy
How to Measure Your Waist and Height
Accurate measurements matter because small changes can move a result near a category boundary.
Locate the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hips.
Wrap the tape around the midpoint between those landmarks, just above the belly button, and breathe out naturally before reading it.
Measure waist and height in the same unit: both inches or both centimetres.
Half-height rule
What Does a WHtR of 0.5 Mean?
A WHtR of 0.50 means waist circumference is exactly half of height. NICE advises people to try to keep their waist measurement below half their height, which corresponds to a WHtR under 0.50.
Different measures
WHtR vs BMI
Uses weight relative to height and is a practical measure of general overweight and obesity. It is not a direct measure of central adiposity.
Uses waist circumference relative to height and gives information about central adiposity. NICE recommends using it alongside BMI in the relevant adult population rather than treating it as a replacement.
Related tools
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Additional questions
WHtR Calculator FAQ
What is a good WHtR for adults?
NICE classifies 0.40–0.49 as healthy central adiposity in adults when WHtR is being used for this purpose.
Is a WHtR of 0.5 bad?
A result from 0.50 to 0.59 falls in NICE's increased central-adiposity range. It is a screening result, not a diagnosis.
Does WHtR work for both men and women?
NICE's adult central-adiposity classification applies to both sexes and all ethnicities in the relevant population.
Can I calculate WHtR using inches?
Yes. Use inches for both waist and height. You can also use centimetres for both measurements because the units cancel in the ratio.
Should I measure my waist before or after eating?
For consistency, focus on the NICE technique: use the correct waist location and take the measurement after breathing out naturally. Repeat under similar conditions when tracking change.
Is WHtR better than BMI?
They answer different questions. NICE uses BMI as a practical measure of general adiposity and WHtR as an estimate of central adiposity; the guideline supports using them together in the relevant adult population.
Does WHtR apply to athletes or muscular people?
NICE notes that the adult WHtR classification can be used across sexes and ethnicities, including adults with high muscle mass, when BMI is below 35 kg/m².
Methodology
Sources & Methodology
The calculator uses the simple waist ÷ height formula and the current NICE NG246 adult central-adiposity categories. NICE NG246 was last updated on 8 January 2026.