About this tool
healthdirect describes an increased risk of chronic disease from a waist of 80 cm or more for females and 94 cm or more for males, and a greatly increased risk from 88 cm and 102 cm. To measure, find the point halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hipbone, breathe out normally, and keep the tape snug.
The waist-to-height ratio compares your waist with your height. NICE in the United Kingdom encourages people to keep their waist to less than half their height.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (UK), Keep the size of your waist to less than half of your height, read on 12 and 13 October 2026.