Waist-to-height ratio is your average waist measurement divided by your height, using the same units for both. For the Army Body Composition Program the measurement is recorded in inches: recorded WHtR equals your average waist in inches divided by your recorded height in inches. Under Army Directive 2026-13, a recorded WHtR below 0.550 meets the standard.

Height is measured in socks without shoes and rounded to the nearest half inch. The waist is measured at the navel three times. Each reading is rounded down to the nearest half inch, and the three readings are averaged. If one reading differs by more than 1 inch from the other two, a fourth measurement is taken and the three closest readings are averaged. The average waist is recorded to three decimal places.

A recorded WHtR below 0.550 meets the standard; a recorded WHtR of 0.550 or higher does not. The recorded ratio is truncated to three decimal places and is never rounded, so any digits after the third are simply discarded. For example, a ratio of 0.549 meets the standard while 0.550 does not.

No. This calculator estimates whether the values you enter would meet the 0.550 threshold. Only the Army's official measurement process—and, when an initial result does not meet the standard, a confirmation assessment by a different team—determines your ABCP status.

An initial result that does not meet the standard requires a confirmation measurement on the same duty day, performed by a different measurement team, before any administrative action. A single initial reading is not by itself a determination.

A second, confirmed result that does not meet the standard leads to enrollment in the Army Body Composition Program and a flag. Program enrollment and the associated flag follow the confirmed measurement, not the initial screening.

The old multi-site body-fat estimate — commonly called the tape test — and the height/weight screening tables have been rescinded, along with the AFT 465-point exemption and Army Directive 2025-17. A tape measure is still used, but only at a single waist site—the navel—which is measured three times for the waist-to-height ratio. The rescinded tape test estimated body fat from several circumference sites; the new procedure does not.

Units must normally allow at least seven days between an AFT or CFT and a WHtR screening. Commanders may deviate from the seven-day spacing when urgent operational needs require it.

The policy applies to the Regular Army, the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve, United States Military Academy cadets, and Senior ROTC cadets. Existing pregnancy and postpartum medical exemptions remain in effect.

Yes. Existing pregnancy and postpartum medical exemptions remain in effect under Army Directive 2026-13. Consult your chain of command and medical provider for how an exemption applies to your situation.

Soldiers are screened at least twice per calendar year. In addition, commanders may direct a screening at any time when concerned that a Soldier may not meet the standard.

As of July 2026, units may initiate separation actions during the Army's 180-day assessment period, but no Soldier may be separated for a WHtR failure until that assessment is complete and further guidance is issued. Recheck current policy before relying on this for any personnel action.