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Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) Calculator (String Test)

Evaluate visceral fat risk using the "String Test" logic. More accurate than BMI, this tool calculates if your waist is under half your height for optimal longevity.

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About

The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) is rapidly replacing BMI in clinical settings as a primary predictor of life expectancy and cardiometabolic health. The premise is elegantly simple: Keep your waist circumference to less than half your height. Unlike BMI, which confuses muscle with fat, WHtR specifically targets abdominal obesity. This metric is universal, applying equally well to children, adults, men, women, and different ethnic groups without the need for complex adjustment tables.

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Formulas

The calculation is unit-independent, provided both inputs use the same system (cm or inches).

WHtR = WaistHeight

This ratio corresponds to the physical "String Test": If you cut a piece of string to your height, it should be able to wrap around your waist twice.

Reference Data

WHtR RatioClassificationAction Guide
< 0.40Take CareMay be underweight. Ensure adequate nutrition.
0.40 - 0.49HealthyOptimal range. Keep doing what you're doing.
0.50 - 0.59Consider ActionEarly warning. Excess central fat is accumulating.
≥ 0.60Take ActionHigh health risk. Significant visceral fat reduction needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

For individual health assessment, yes. A meta-analysis of over 300,000 adults found WHtR to be superior to BMI and Waist Circumference alone in detecting cardiometabolic risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
Generally, yes. While bodybuilders have high BMIs due to muscle, they typically have narrow waists relative to their height. WHtR correctly identifies them as low risk, whereas BMI would incorrectly classify them as obese.
The 0.5 ratio is the "Golden Rule" of this metric. Staying below 0.5 prevents the negative health cascade associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.