By Coach Jeff Alagar, NASM Physique and Bodybuilding Coach and ISSA Certified Nutritionist. Updated November 2026.
Keep your waist measurement under half your height. A waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is linked to lower heart disease and diabetes risk, and it works better than BMI for Asians.
How this waist-to-height ratio calculator works
Divide your waist (at the navel) by your height in the same units. Add your hip measurement to also get the waist-to-hip ratio, which the WHO flags above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.
Frequently asked questions
Why is waist size better than BMI?
Belly fat (visceral fat) drives most metabolic risk, and waist size tracks it directly. BMI cannot tell where weight sits.
Related calculators
These calculators give general estimates for healthy adults and are not medical advice. If you are pregnant, under 18, or have a medical condition, ask your doctor before changing your diet or training.
