Army Height and Weight Standards 2026: Replaced by the Waist-to-Height Ratio
The Army discontinued its height and weight screening tables: Army Directive 2026-13 says, "The use of height and weight screening tables is discontinued." Under the directive, what replaced them is a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) standard of less than 0.55, so the table below lists the largest waist for each height from 58 to 80 inches. Use the Army body fat calculator to check your own measurements, or the AFT calculator for the fitness test.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Reviewed November 1, 2026 · Methodology & sources
What the directive says
“The use of height and weight screening tables is discontinued.”
“The WHtR is adopted as the sole measurement for all Soldiers.”
“The standard is a WHtR of less than and not equal to 0.55.”
army.mil, in an article by Army Public Affairs dated July 7, 2026, reported:
“The Army has replaced the long-standing height and weight tables, circumference-based tape test, and supplemental body fat assessments with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) health assessment tool.”
“A Soldier with a WHtR of 0.55 or greater will be flagged and enrolled in the ABCP.”
Largest waist for each height under the 0.55 rule
FedRateCalc arithmetic from the 0.55 rule, not a table published by the Army. The comparison used is waist ÷ height < 0.55, which is the same as waist < 0.55 × height. The second column is 0.55 × height, exact, with nothing rounded: every height here is a whole number of inches, so the product has at most two decimals. A waist equal to the shown value does not meet the standard, because the directive says "less than and not equal to 0.55". The third column is the largest waist in whole tenths of an inch that is still under the limit.
For example, at 70 inches 0.55 × 70 = 38.5 exactly, so a 38.5 inch waist does not meet the standard, and the largest waist in tenths of an inch that does is 38.4.
| Height (inches) | Waist must be under (inches) | Largest waist in tenths of an inch that is under |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | under 31.9 | 31.8 |
| 59 | under 32.45 | 32.4 |
| 60 | under 33 | 32.9 |
| 61 | under 33.55 | 33.5 |
| 62 | under 34.1 | 34.0 |
| 63 | under 34.65 | 34.6 |
| 64 | under 35.2 | 35.1 |
| 65 | under 35.75 | 35.7 |
| 66 | under 36.3 | 36.2 |
| 67 | under 36.85 | 36.8 |
| 68 | under 37.4 | 37.3 |
| 69 | under 37.95 | 37.9 |
| 70 | under 38.5 | 38.4 |
| 71 | under 39.05 | 39.0 |
| 72 | under 39.6 | 39.5 |
| 73 | under 40.15 | 40.1 |
| 74 | under 40.7 | 40.6 |
| 75 | under 41.25 | 41.2 |
| 76 | under 41.8 | 41.7 |
| 77 | under 42.35 | 42.3 |
| 78 | under 42.9 | 42.8 |
| 79 | under 43.45 | 43.4 |
| 80 | under 44 | 43.9 |
The directive and army.mil do not state a rounding rule or a tape-reading increment. Your unit's official measurement decides, and a result near the limit is the unit's call, not this table's.
What happened to the old tables and AR 600-9
This page does not reproduce the old Army height and weight screening table. Army Directive 2026-13 says:
“This directive consolidates and implements modifications to the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP), superseding policy in previous directives and regulations.”
“This policy is not retroactive, and where it conflicts with other Army directives or regulations, this directive is controlling.”
“The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will publish implementing guidance and incorporate the provisions of this directive into AR 600–8–2 and AR 600–9 within 2 years of the date of this directive.”
“This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulations.”
Other rules in the directive
“No secondary or supplemental body composition methods (such as the circumference-based tape test or other body fat assessments) are authorized for the purpose of challenging the results of the WHtR.”
“All Soldiers will have their WHtR measured at least twice per calendar year.”
“No AFT score exempts a Soldier from meeting the WHtR standard.”
Frequently asked questions
Does the Army still have height and weight standards?
Army Directive 2026-13 says: "The use of height and weight screening tables is discontinued." army.mil, July 7, 2026: "The Army has replaced the long-standing height and weight tables, circumference-based tape test, and supplemental body fat assessments with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) health assessment tool." This page does not reproduce the old table.
What replaced the Army height and weight tables?
The waist-to-height ratio. Army Directive 2026-13 says: "The WHtR is adopted as the sole measurement for all Soldiers." It also says: "The standard is a WHtR of less than and not equal to 0.55."
What is the maximum waist for my height under the Army standard?
The ratio must be under 0.55, so the waist must be under 0.55 times the height. This page's table lists that product for each height from 58 to 80 inches, for example under 35.2 inches at 64 inches and under 38.5 inches at 70 inches. The table is FedRateCalc arithmetic from the 0.55 rule.
Is a ratio of exactly 0.55 a pass?
No. Army Directive 2026-13 says: "The standard is a WHtR of less than and not equal to 0.55." It also says: "A Soldier with a WHtR of 0.55 or greater will be flagged and enrolled in the ABCP." At 70 inches, 38.5 inches is exactly 0.55 and does not meet the standard.
What happens to AR 600-9 and its tables?
Army Directive 2026-13 says: "This directive consolidates and implements modifications to the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP), superseding policy in previous directives and regulations." It says: "This policy is not retroactive, and where it conflicts with other Army directives or regulations, this directive is controlling." It also says: "The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will publish implementing guidance and incorporate the provisions of this directive into AR 600–8–2 and AR 600–9 within 2 years of the date of this directive." "This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulations."
Is the Army standard different by age or sex?
The paragraph that sets the standard names one ratio: "The standard is a WHtR of less than and not equal to 0.55." It gives no separate value by age or sex. Army Directive 2026-13 and the army.mil article do not state a rounding rule or a tape-reading increment, so this page compares the exact ratio with 0.55 and never rounds before deciding. Your unit's official measurement decides.
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Sources
Reviewed November 1, 2026. Every number and quotation on this page comes from these Army sources, except the maximum-waist arithmetic, which is FedRateCalc's own.