Healthy Weight Targets and Body Ratios Beyond BMI
BMI is only a starting point — set a realistic target weight, use body ratios like waist-to-height and the ponderal index, and track progress the right way for a sharper picture of health.
Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
Verified formula Updated Jun 2026 Private — runs on your device
Verified formula
Private
Waist-to-height ratio
0.471
- Waist as % of height
- 47.1%
For general information only — not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify before you rely on it.
How to use the Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
The Waist to Height Ratio Calculator works out your waist-to-height ratio, along with 1 related figure in an instant. Enter waist circumference and height and the result updates as you type — it is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser so your figures stay private.
- Enter the waist circumference.
- Enter the height.
- Read off your waist-to-height ratio, together with waist as % of height — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.
Formula
The Waist to Height Ratio Calculator uses the formula:
Waist-to-height ratio = Waist circumference ÷ Height
Worked example
For example, with waist circumference of 80 cm and height of 170 cm, the waist-to-height ratio is 0.471.
| Waist circumference | 80 cm |
|---|---|
| Height | 170 cm |
| Waist-to-height ratio | 0.471 |
|---|---|
| Waist as % of height | 47.1% |
Results are estimates for educational use, not professional advice.
Key terms explained
- Circumference
- The distance around the edge of a circle, equal to 2 × π × radius.
- Ratio
- A comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other.
Frequently asked questions
Divide your waist measurement by your height in the same units. A waist of 80 cm and height of 170 cm give a ratio of about 0.47.
A common rule of thumb is to keep your waist under half your height, that is a ratio below 0.5. Higher values are linked with greater health risk. Treat it as guidance, not a diagnosis.
WHtR accounts for central fat around the organs, which BMI does not. It uses just two simple measurements and applies across a wide range of heights.
Measure at the narrowest point, usually just above the belly button, after breathing out normally, keeping the tape horizontal and snug.
Enter the waist circumference. Enter the height. Read off your waist-to-height ratio, together with waist as % of height — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.
Related guides
Waist to Height Ratio Table: Waist-to-height ratio by Waist circumference
Reference table of waist-to-height ratio for Waist to Height Ratio across a range of waist circumference values — exact, engine-computed figures you can read off at a glance.
How to Calculate Waist to Height Ratio: Formula, Steps & Examples
Learn how to calculate Waist to Height Ratio — the formula explained step by step, with worked examples and a free calculator to check your answer.