Body composition
Waist-to-Height Ratio
Calculate your waist-to-height ratio, a reliable cardiovascular risk indicator more accurate than BMI.
WHtR
—
<0.34
0.34–0.43
0.43–0.53 ✓
0.53–0.58
0.58–0.63
>0.63
Recommended threshold: < 0.5 to reduce cardiovascular risk.
What is the waist-to-height ratio?
The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is the ratio of waist circumference to height. A ratio below 0.5 indicates low cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Many experts consider it more predictive of disease risk than BMI because it directly measures abdominal visceral fat.
How is it calculated?
The formula is simply the waist circumference divided by height, both in the same units (centimetres).
Formula
WHtR = Waist (cm) ÷ Height (cm)⚠️ Limitations
The index does not differentiate between muscle mass and fat, and may not be accurate for people with atypical body proportions.
FAQ
What is the ideal waist-to-height ratio?
Below 0.5 for men and women of any age is considered the healthy threshold.
Is it better than BMI?
Many studies suggest WHtR better predicts cardiovascular risk because it measures abdominal fat directly.
How do I measure my waist correctly?
Measure at navel height, with a relaxed abdomen, at mid-breath.
Are there differences between men and women?
The thresholds are the same (0.5) although fat distribution differs between sexes.