Coast Guard WHtR Standard (2026)
COMDTINST M1020.8 — Body Composition & Physical Fitness — Accession screen uses BMI 19.
The Coast Guard gate
| Initial screen | Threshold | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) | must be < 0.55 | Below passes with no tape test; at or above → secondary body-fat evaluation |
Calculate your WHtR for Coast Guard
Your measurements
U.S. customary units. Measure the waist at the navel with a flexible tape, relaxed, after a normal exhale.
Your WHtR
0.486
Joint-force screen: must be < 0.55 (Marine Corps: < 0.52)
Verdict by branch (2026)
| Branch | WHtR gate | Your ratio | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coast Guard | < 0.55 | 0.486 | PASS |
A PASS clears the initial WHtR screen. At or above the gate, the service runs a secondary body-fat evaluation (DoD Instruction 1308.03 corridor: 18–26% men / 26–36% women depending on branch and age). Estimates are educational — confirm with your command.
Secondary body-fat evaluation
If your WHtR is at or above 0.55, the service runs a body-fat evaluation. Maximum allowable body fat for U.S. Coast Guard:
| Age | Men (max %) | Women (max %) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 22% | 32% |
| Under 40 | 24% | 34% |
| 40+ | 26% | 36% |