Army Height and Weight Calculator

Army Directive 2026-13 Explained

Army Directive 2026-13, effective July 7, 2026, made the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) the sole authorized body-composition assessment method for the U.S. Army. It rescinded the previous height/weight screening tables and the circumference-based tape test.

This page summarizes the directive in plain English. The official source documents are listed on the Sources page, which is being published alongside this one; the primary public reference is the Army’s ABCP page at armyresilience.army.mil.

What the directive says

  • WHtR = waist (in) ÷ height (in). One ratio, from two measurements.
  • Threshold: 0.55. A soldier passes if WHtR is strictly less than 0.55 — a ratio of exactly 0.55 does not pass.
  • Gender-neutral and age-neutral. Unlike every previous method, the same threshold applies to every soldier; there are no age-group or sex-specific tables.
  • All previous body-fat assessment methods are rescinded — the height/weight screening tables, the single-site tape, and the multi-site tape. The Army’s resilience directorate states: “All previous body fat assessment methods, including the circumference-based tape test, have been rescinded. WHtR is the sole authorized body composition assessment method.”
  • Official measurement protocol: the waist is measured by trained Army personnel at the level of the iliac crest (top of the hip bone), with the soldier standing, exhaling normally, feet shoulder-width apart.

What it replaced

Three distinct methods, each preserved on this site with a clearly marked archive calculator:

  • The pre-July-2026 screening weight tables from AR 600-9 — weight-for-height tables that flagged soldiers for a follow-on tape test. Archived at the height & weight screening calculator.
  • The single-site tape formula (June 2024 – July 2026) — a one-site abdomen circumference estimate. Archived at the single-site tape calculator.
  • The multi-site tape formula (pre-June 2024) — the AR 600-9 Appendix B log-scale method using neck, abdomen, and hip. Archived at the multi-site tape calculator.

Exemptions

Certain situations are exempt from routine body-composition assessment. Commonly cited categories include pregnancy and the postpartum period, medical conditions requiring fluid restriction, amputation, and COAD/COAR status. We are verifying the complete, authoritative exemption list against the directive text before publishing a dedicated exemptions page — until then, treat this list as indicative, not exhaustive, and confirm your situation with your unit ABCP counselor or medical personnel.

What is not yet confirmed

Two questions are still being verified directly against the directive text, and we will not guess:

  • ACFT/AFT 540+ body-fat exemption: whether the prior fitness-score exemption survives under the WHtR standard is not confirmed in this summary. Refer to your unit ABCP counselor or the armyresilience.army.mil FAQ for current guidance. A dedicated status page will follow once verified.
  • New-recruit grace period: the status of any post-accession grace period (sometimes described as 180 days) is pending verification. See the Guides hub once published.

What this means in practice

A soldier who previously passed via height and weight alone may now fail via WHtR, and vice versa. The measurement that matters is waist circumference relative to height — not body weight. If your ratio is 0.55 or higher, the next steps run through the Army Body Composition Program: use the WHtR calculator for an informational estimate, and speak with your unit ABCP counselor or recruiter before making any personal decision.

Source

Source: Army Directive 2026-13, effective July 7, 2026; public guidance via armyresilience.army.mil and the Army’s announcement article. Full annotated citations, including the directive PDF link, are maintained on the Sources page.

Related

  • WHtR calculator — the current standard, with a working estimate
  • All standards explained — the standards hub
  • AR 600-9 Explained — publishing soon
  • Body Composition Transition Timeline (2023–2026) — publishing soon
  • ABCP Exemptions — publishing soon (Phase 2)

The formula, threshold, and rounding details are documented on the Methodology page.