This policy is days old. The Army adopted the Waist-to-Height Ratio standard via Army Directive 2026-13,
dated 7 July 2026 — effective immediately, with AR 600-9 itself not required to be formally rewritten for up to
two years. WHtR is now the sole ABCP standard (the old AFT-score exemption no longer applies), though a couple
of smaller procedural details are still settling. Confirm anything specific with your unit S1 before treating
it as final.
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OVERVIEW
A brand-new, single-number replacement for the old height/weight tables and tape test.
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What Changed
Army Directive 2026-13 (7 July 2026) makes the Waist-to-Height Ratio the Army Body Composition Program measurement standard, effective immediately.
Applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/ARNGUS, and U.S. Army Reserve
This is a directive, not yet a rewritten AR 600-9 — the regulation itself has up to 2 years to catch up
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Why the Change
Part of a broader push toward medically-validated, streamlined standards across the joint force — a "whole-Soldier" approach instead of height/weight tables.
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THE STANDARD
One formula, one number, one line to stay under.
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The Formula
Waist circumference (inches) ÷ height (inches). Below 0.55 is compliant; 0.55 or higher is not.
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How It's Measured
Waist measured at the navel, parallel to the floor, at the end of a relaxed exhale — typically in the PT uniform.
The exact measurement protocol may still be refined as official guidance catches up to the directive
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What It Replaced
The old height/weight screening tables, plus the multi-site tape test (neck, waist, hips) for Soldiers over the table weight.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The steps if a Soldier measures at or above the line.
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Confirmation Retest
A measurement of 0.55+ triggers a same-day confirmation test by a different measuring team before anything else happens.
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ABCP Enrollment
If the confirmation also fails, the Soldier enters the Army Body Composition Program to work toward compliance.
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Initial 180-Day Window
Soldiers won't be separated for missing the new standard during an initial 180-day settling-in period — not a permanent grace period.
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AFT Score Exemption
Rescinded
Scoring 465+ on the AFT used to exempt a Soldier from body-fat standards. That's gone — WHtR is now the sole standard, with no AFT-score exemption.
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DXA / InBody Supplemental Testing
Unconfirmed
Whether the old supplemental body-fat assessment options survive under WHtR-only hasn't been clearly confirmed yet.
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QUICK CALCULATOR
For a rough personal check only — not a substitute for an official measurement.