Army Body Fat Calculator: The New Waist-to-Height Standard
Since July 7, 2026, the Army no longer measures body fat. Under Army Directive 2026-13, the only body composition test is your waist-to-height ratio, and it must be below 0.55. Enter your height and navel waist measurement to see where you stand.
Measure the waist horizontally at the navel (belly button), as the Army does. Use the same height recorded at your screening.
What changed in 2026
| Before July 7, 2026 | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Screening | Height and weight tables | Waist-to-height ratio |
| If over screening limit | One-site tape test for body fat % | Same-day second WHtR by a different team |
| Standard | Body fat % by age and sex | WHtR below 0.55 for everyone |
| High-score AFT exemption | 465+ exempt | Rescinded |
| Challenging a result | Supplemental body fat methods | Not allowed |
| Form | DA 5500 / DA 5501 | DA 5500 (5501 retired) |
The big practical change: there's one number, and it doesn't depend on age, sex or weight. Two soldiers of the same height face the same waist limit.
Maximum waist by height
Your waist must be below the number shown. A waist exactly equal to it produces a ratio of 0.550, which fails.
| Height | Inches | Waist must be under |
|---|---|---|
| 5′0″ | 60 | 33.00 in |
| 5′1″ | 61 | 33.55 in |
| 5′2″ | 62 | 34.10 in |
| 5′3″ | 63 | 34.65 in |
| 5′4″ | 64 | 35.20 in |
| 5′5″ | 65 | 35.75 in |
| 5′6″ | 66 | 36.30 in |
| 5′7″ | 67 | 36.85 in |
| 5′8″ | 68 | 37.40 in |
| 5′9″ | 69 | 37.95 in |
| 5′10″ | 70 | 38.50 in |
| 5′11″ | 71 | 39.05 in |
| 6′0″ | 72 | 39.60 in |
| 6′1″ | 73 | 40.15 in |
| 6′2″ | 74 | 40.70 in |
| 6′3″ | 75 | 41.25 in |
| 6′4″ | 76 | 41.80 in |
| 6′5″ | 77 | 42.35 in |
| 6′6″ | 78 | 42.90 in |
How the measurement works
- Waist: measured horizontally at the navel (belly button), in inches.
- Height: in inches.
- Ratio: waist ÷ height, kept to three decimal places. Digits after the third are dropped, not rounded.
- Pass: 0.549 or lower. Fail: 0.550 or higher.
Because the cutoff is truncated rather than rounded, a ratio of 0.5499 records as 0.549 and passes. The calculator applies the same rule.
Bringing your waist down
Waist circumference tracks abdominal (visceral) fat closely, which is why the Army and the wider Defense Department switched to it. Losing it is about overall fat loss, not targeted exercise: a sustained calorie deficit with adequate protein, plus strength training to hold on to muscle. Measure at the same time of day under the same conditions to track progress honestly.
If you want a fuller picture than one ratio, our body fat calculatorestimates body fat percentage with the Navy method and shows a realistic goal weight. Use it for your own tracking. It isn't an Army standard anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Army still use body fat percentage?
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No. Army Directive 2026-13, effective July 7, 2026, made the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) the Army's only body composition assessment. The height and weight tables, the one-site tape test and other body fat methods were rescinded, and they can't be used to challenge a WHtR result.
What is the new Army body composition standard?
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A waist-to-height ratio below 0.55. Waist circumference is measured at the navel in inches and divided by height in inches. The ratio is recorded to three decimal places and is not rounded, so 0.549 passes and 0.550 fails.
What's the maximum waist for my height?
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Multiply your height in inches by 0.55. Your waist must be below that number. For a 70-inch (5'10") soldier, a waist under 38.5 inches passes; exactly 38.5 inches gives 0.550 and fails.
Is the old Army one-site tape test still used?
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No. The one-site, abdomen-based tape test introduced in 2023 was rescinded along with the height and weight tables. Calculators that still estimate Army body fat percentage from weight and abdominal circumference are using a standard that no longer applies.
Can a high fitness test score exempt me from body composition?
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Not anymore. The exemption for soldiers scoring 465 or higher on the Army Fitness Test was rescinded. All soldiers must meet the WHtR standard regardless of fitness test performance.
What happens if I fail the waist-to-height screening?
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A second measurement by a different team on the same duty day is required. If you still don't meet the standard, you're enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) and flagged until you meet it. The Army has said no separations for WHtR failure will happen until its 180-day review of the standard is complete.
How often are soldiers screened?
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At least twice per calendar year, and commanders can direct a WHtR check at any time. Units must allow at least seven days between a soldier's AFT or CFT and the WHtR screening unless operational needs require otherwise.
Does the standard apply to other branches?
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A Defense Department policy published in August 2026 sets a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 as the minimum standard for all services, and each branch may set a stricter cutoff. Check your own branch's current guidance.
Medical disclaimer: This calculator applies the WHtR rule as published in Army Directive 2026-13 and the Army's ABCP FAQ. It is not an official Army tool, and your official result is the one recorded at your unit screening. The Army is reviewing the standard during a 180-day assessment, so check with your unit for any later guidance. Not medical advice.