What Changed?
Army Directive 2026-13 established waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as the Army Body Composition Program assessment. The legacy multi-site circumference formulas associated with DA Forms 5500 and 5501 are historical references, not the current September 2026 screening method. A current guide should therefore ask for waist and height, not neck circumference or hip circumference.
The Current Army WHtR Formula
Divide waist circumference by height using the same unit for both measurements:
WHtR = waist ÷ height
A result below 0.55 passes. A result equal to 0.55 or above does not pass. This strict boundary is important: 0.549 is below the limit; 0.550 is not.
Worked Examples
| Waist | Height | WHtR | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37.3 in | 68 in | 0.5485 | Pass |
| 37.4 in | 68 in | 0.5500 | Does not pass |
| 86 cm | 175 cm | 0.4914 | Pass |
Do not round an unrounded 0.5496 down to 0.549 before evaluating it; compare the full calculation with 0.55, then display a rounded value for readability.
How to Prepare for an Official Measurement
Use normal, sustainable preparation. Arrive with ordinary hydration, follow the uniform and scheduling instructions provided by the unit, and let trained personnel perform the official measurement. Do not rely on dehydration, extreme food restriction, waist compression, or manipulation of tape placement. Those tactics can harm performance and do not change the official procedure.
Using a Home Measurement
A home check is useful for planning but is not an official determination. Use a flexible, non-stretch tape, keep it level, and repeat the measurement consistently. Small differences matter near the 0.55 boundary, so a self-measured 0.548 should be treated as close to the line rather than as a guaranteed official pass.
WHtR Is Separate From the AFT
Body composition and the five-event Army Fitness Test are different assessments. A strong AFT score does not mathematically change WHtR, and WHtR is not a sixth AFT event. Use the Army WHtR Calculator for body composition and the AFT Calculator for fitness-test scoring.
Official Update Sources
The Army's 2026 ABCP software and policy update identifies WHtR as the sole body-composition assessment and the passing threshold as below 0.55. The Army's official ABCP update video on DVIDS provides additional context on the program change.