Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR)
Waist circumference divided by height — the metric the U.S. military adopted as its joint-force body-composition screen on January 1, 2026.
Formula
WHtR = waist (in) ÷ height (in)
Healthy range
General health: below 0.5 is ideal; 0.5–0.59 signals increased cardiometabolic risk. Military: the 2026 gate is < 0.55 (Marine Corps < 0.52).
Military & first-responder angle
The DoD replaced height-and-weight tables with WHtR effective 2026-01-01. At or above 0.55 triggers a secondary body-fat evaluation. This is now the most consequential single number in military body composition.
Calculator
The 2026 Department of Defense primary screen: waist ÷ height. Under 0.55 clears the joint-force screen; the Marine Corps sets a tighter 0.52.
Result
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