Waist to Height Ratio Calculator
Your waist-to-height ratio is one of the simplest checks of belly fat, the kind most closely linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Divide your waist by your height — the aim is to keep it below 0.5.
Midway between ribs and hip bone
Waist-to-height ratio
NICE NG246 cut-offs
Your waist target
cm
Half your height (a ratio under 0.5)
You're cm over
NICE bands for adults
- 0.40–0.49 · healthy central adiposity
- 0.50–0.59 · increased central adiposity, increased health risks
- 0.60+ · high central adiposity, further increased health risks
NICE uses waist-to-height ratio for adults with a BMI under 35, of all sexes and ethnicities.
Your results are attached to the form below
These figures are estimates for general awareness only and are not medical advice or a diagnosis. Read our Medical Disclaimer.
Want a Plan Built Around Your Numbers?
A certified dietitian will turn these figures into a diet that fits your routine and your food.
How this is calculated
Waist-to-height ratio = waist circumference ÷ height, both in the same units. Categories follow NICE (the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guideline NG246: 0.4 to 0.49 is healthy central adiposity, 0.5 to 0.59 is increased central adiposity with increased health risks, and 0.6 or more is high central adiposity with further increased health risks. NICE recommends it for adults with a BMI under 35, of all sexes and ethnicities.
How to measure your waist
Find the point midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone. Wrap the tape around your bare waist at that level, keep it horizontal, and read it after breathing out normally. Don't hold your stomach in.
Why it matters for Indians
For people with a South Asian family background, NICE advises interpreting BMI with caution, because health risks start to rise at a lower body weight — so a "normal" BMI can hide a real risk. Waist-to-height ratio measures fat around the middle directly, and NICE recommends it for people of all ethnicities alongside BMI.
What to do if your ratio is 0.5 or above
Bringing your waist down towards half your height moves you into a lower-risk band. Steady weight loss, regular activity and a diet built around fibre-rich, minimally processed food all help — a dietitian can turn that into a plan that fits your routine and your food.