BMI is one screening measure. Waist-to-height ratio is another way adults may discuss central adiposity with a healthcare professional. This simple tool helps you keep a few measurements and questions together, without treating a number as a diagnosis.
NICE guideline NG246, published in 2025 and updated on January 8, 2026, recommends considering waist-to-height ratio alongside BMI for adults with a BMI under 35 kg/m². The general guide is to keep waist measurement below half of height. This tool is educational and does not assess your personal health risk. Read NICE guidance · Read the NHS guide.
Measure your waist midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips, after breathing out naturally. Measure height and waist in the same unit. You can use centimetres or inches.
The chart is descriptive. Small changes can happen for many reasons, and this tool cannot explain them.
A waist of 82 cm divided by a height of 164 cm gives a ratio of 0.50. The example only shows the calculation; it is not a personal health assessment.
You can choose whether to discuss measurements. Your healthcare professional can help interpret them in the context of your health.