Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Assess your health risk from central obesity. WHtR is often more accurate than BMI for predicting cardiovascular risk because it accounts for body fat distribution.
The Problem with Manual Measurements
Research from BMC Public Health found that waist circumference measurements have significant variability between measurers, with differences of 2-5cm being common. This can shift your WHtR by 0.01-0.03, potentially changing your risk category entirely.
Measurement Challenges
- Hard to measure waist consistently alone
- Breathing affects circumference by 2-4cm
- Time of day and meals impact measurements
- Tape angle and tension cause variability
- Different anatomical landmarks used
Why AI Analysis Helps
- No measurement variability or user error
- Consistent results from the same photo
- Analyzes overall body composition, not just waist
- Tracks progress visually over time
- Works with a simple mirror selfie
WHtR Calculator
Your Measurements
Measure at narrowest point (usually at navel level)
5'10" = 70 inches
Skip the Tape Measure
Get results in 10 seconds
PhysiqueAI analyzes your body composition from a single photo. No measurements needed, no variability from measuring technique. Just take a mirror selfie.
- No tape measure or calipers needed
- More consistent than manual measurements
- Track progress over time with photo history
- 15+ body composition metrics
- Works with mirror selfies
No credit card required
What the Research Says
WHtR vs BMI
A systematic review in Obesity Reviews analyzed 31 studies and found that WHtR was a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than BMI:
- WHtR above 0.5 indicates significantly increased health risk
- Better at identifying central obesity than BMI
- Works across different ethnicities and age groups
The 0.5 Rule
Research from PMC supports the simple rule that your waist should be less than half your height:
- WHtR below 0.5 = healthy waist circumference
- Easy to remember and apply across populations
- Visceral fat is the most dangerous type for health
WHtR Reference Ranges
Men
May indicate insufficient body mass
Optimal range, low health risk
Moderately increased risk
High cardiovascular risk
Very high health risks
Women
May indicate insufficient body mass
Optimal range, low health risk
Moderately increased risk
High cardiovascular risk
Very high health risks
Understanding Waist-to-Height Ratio
The 0.5 Rule
Your waist circumference should be less than half your height. This simple rule applies across ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Why WHtR Over BMI?
BMI cannot distinguish between fat and muscle. WHtR specifically targets central obesity, which is the most dangerous type for cardiovascular health.
Visceral Fat Dangers
Fat around organs (visceral fat) releases inflammatory compounds that increase risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
How to Measure
Stand straight, breathe out normally, and measure at the narrowest point of your waist (usually at the navel). Do not suck in!
Go Beyond Waist Measurements
Get your actual body fat percentage, lean body mass, and comprehensive physique analysis from a single photo. No measurements, no guesswork.
No credit card required • 3 free scans/month