Waist-to-height ratio is a simple measure of central fat that many researchers consider a better health-risk screen than BMI. The simple rule is to keep your waist less than half your height.
Sample input: Waist circumference (cm): 85, Height (cm): 175
Waist-to-height ratio: 0.49 (Healthy)
Your waist-to-height ratio is 0.49, which falls in the "Healthy" band. A simple healthy guide is to keep your waist under half your height (ratio below 0.5).
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) divides your waist circumference by your height in the same units. It captures abdominal fat, which carries more health risk than fat elsewhere.
A WHtR below 0.5 is considered healthy, 0.5 to 0.59 indicates increased risk, and 0.6 or above indicates high risk. The simple guide endorsed by UK NICE is to keep your waist under half your height.
Research suggests WHtR predicts cardiometabolic risk at least as well as BMI and sometimes better, because it reflects where fat is stored. Many clinicians use both measures together.
Measure at the midpoint between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, usually just above the belly button, with the tape snug and level after breathing out gently.