Independent health education — not medical advice. No product sales.
Back to calculator

How to interpret your WtHR

A practical, no-hype guide to the waist-to-height ratio.

What WtHR measures

WtHR is your waist circumference ÷ height. It’s a quick proxy for central (abdominal) fat, which is more strongly linked to metabolic risk than overall weight.

Good for
Tracking trend

Weekly or monthly changes in abdominal size.

Not for
Diagnosis

It cannot diagnose disease or replace lab work.

Works with
Any routine

Training, nutrition, sleep, stress management.

Practical cutoffs

A widely used rule of thumb is: keep your waist less than half your height (WtHR < 0.5). This page uses simple zones to help you interpret the number.

Below ~0.40
Very lean

Not automatically “better”. Focus on strength, nutrition quality, and sustainability.

0.40–0.49
Lower risk zone

Common target for long-term metabolic health tracking.

0.50–0.59
Consider action

Often improved with small, consistent changes over 8–12 weeks.

0.60+
Higher risk zone

Consider talking with a clinician—especially if you have BP, glucose, or lipid concerns.

Note: These zones are for education and self-tracking. Age, sex, ethnicity, and health history matter.

How to measure waist properly

  1. Stand relaxed. Measure after a normal exhale (don’t “suck in”).
  2. Place the tape around your abdomen, level and snug—not compressing skin.
  3. Be consistent: same time of day, same spot, same tape tension.

If you’re unsure about the measurement site, choose one method and keep it consistent week to week.

FAQ

Is WtHR better than BMI?

For abdominal fat tracking—often yes. BMI can be skewed by muscle mass and doesn’t reflect fat distribution.

How often should I check it?

Weekly is plenty. Daily measurements can be noisy due to water retention and digestion.

Do you sell supplements or get paid to promote brands?

No. This site is an educational calculator and doesn’t sell products.