Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator (WHtR)
Check whether your waist is less than half your height - the simple 0.5 boundary from the Ashwell research, with the 0.5-0.6 and 0.6+ risk categories.
Results
- Waist-to-height ratio
- 0.46
- Waist / height, same units
- Risk category
- Healthy (0.4-0.5)
- Healthy waist max for your height
- 87.5 cm
- Half your height - the Ashwell 0.5 boundary
- High-risk threshold
- 105 cm
- 60% of your height - the 0.6 boundary
Ashwell WHtR boundaries
| WHtR | Category |
|---|---|
| < 0.4 | Below healthy range |
| 0.4 - 0.5 | Healthy |
| 0.5 - 0.6 | Increased risk |
| 0.6+ | High risk |
How it works & limitations
Why 0.5
The Ashwell framework uses the simple message 'keep your waist to less than half your height'. The 0.5 and 0.6 boundaries are associated with progressively higher cardiometabolic risk and are used in public-health guidance such as NICE's waist-to-height guidance.
Measuring waist correctly
Stand relaxed, exhale normally, and measure with a tape parallel to the floor. Men measure at the navel; women at the narrowest point of the torso. Consistency matters more than perfect precision when tracking changes.
For jump athletes
WHtR is a health screen, not a performance metric. A muscular jumper can have a healthy WHtR with a high BMI - and a high WHtR is a signal to address body fat even when scale weight looks normal.
Sources
Last updated 2026-08-13
- Ashwell, M., & Hsieh, S. D. (2005). Six reasons why the waist-to-height ratio is a rapid and effective global indicator for health risks of obesity. Nutrition Reviews, 63(5), 165-169.
- Ashwell, M., Gunn, P., & Gibson, S. (2012). Waist-to-height ratio is a better screening tool than waist circumference and BMI for adult cardiometabolic risk. Obesity Reviews, 13(3), 275-286.
A screening indicator, not a diagnosis. Waist-to-height ratio should be interpreted alongside blood pressure, lipids, glucose and clinical judgement.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
Keep it below 0.5, meaning your waist is less than half your height. Ratios of 0.5-0.6 indicate increased cardiometabolic risk, and 0.6 or above indicates high risk in the Ashwell framework.
Is WHtR better than BMI?
WHtR captures abdominal fat, which BMI ignores, and research shows it screens for cardiometabolic risk at least as well as BMI - often better. It is also easier to interpret: your waist should be less than half your height.