Calculate waist-to-height ratio, a simple indicator of central body fat and related health risk.
These calculators use established formulas (such as Mifflin-St Jeor for calorie needs or the Devine formula for ideal weight) to provide general estimates. They're built for a general population and don't account for individual medical conditions, medications, or circumstances. They aren't a substitute for advice from a doctor, registered dietitian, or other qualified healthcare provider — especially for anything related to pregnancy, chronic conditions, or medication dosing.
Waist-to-height ratio divides waist circumference by height, both in the same units. The commonly cited guideline is simple to remember: keep your waist circumference under half your height.
This measure has gained traction as a simpler alternative to BMI for flagging central (abdominal) fat specifically, which research has linked more directly to cardiovascular and metabolic risk than overall body weight.
Unlike BMI, waist-to-height ratio doesn't require separate charts for men and women or different age brackets — the same 0.5 threshold is used as a general reference across adult populations.
An 80cm waist on a 170cm-tall person gives a ratio of 0.47 — within the healthy range under the 0.5 threshold.
At the narrowest point of your torso, usually around the belly button, with the tape snug but not compressing the skin — measure after exhaling normally, not while holding your breath in.
It's a useful complement, not a full replacement — waist-to-height ratio focuses on central fat distribution specifically, while BMI reflects overall weight relative to height. Many practitioners use both together.
The same 0.5 general guideline is commonly referenced for children and adults alike, which is part of why waist-to-height ratio is sometimes preferred over BMI in pediatric contexts — but a pediatrician's assessment is the right authority for a child's specific situation.