// ARMY BODY COMPOSITION — THE NEW WAIST-TO-HEIGHT RATIO (WHtR) STANDARD
This is days-old policy — treat everything here as provisional. 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. Sources published in the days since disagree on
several downstream details (whether the AFT-score body-fat exemption still applies, whether DXA/InBody
supplemental testing survives). Where sources conflict, this tool flags it rather than picking a side. Confirm
everything with your unit S1 and the current Army Directive 2026-13 / AR 600-9 before making any decision.
Filters the reference cards below as you type.
What Changed, and When Effective Immediately
Army Directive 2026-13, dated 7 July 2026, introduces the Waist-to-Height Ratio
(WHtR) as the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) measurement standard. The directive took effect
immediately upon publication.
Who It Applies To
The Regular Army
The Army National Guard / Army National Guard of the United States
The U.S. Army Reserve
Directive-Level, Not Yet in AR 600-9 Text
This is currently a directive, not a rewritten regulation. AR 600-9 itself is
required to be formally updated within 2 years of the directive's date. Until that rewrite happens,
the directive is the controlling document — don't expect to find this spelled out yet in the current printed
AR 600-9.
Stated Rationale
The Army frames this as part of a broader Department of War initiative to adopt a more
medically-validated, streamlined, and consistent standard across the joint force — moving toward a
"whole-Soldier" concept rather than relying on older height/weight tables and multi-site tape measurements.
Result of 0.55 or higher — not compliant, moves to the next step in the process
How It's Measured
Reported measurement protocol: waist circumference taken at the navel, parallel to the
floor, at the end of a normal relaxed exhale, typically in the PT uniform. Some sources describe multiple
measurements averaged and rounded — treat the exact measurement protocol as likely to be refined as official
guidance catches up to the directive.
What This Replaced
The prior system relied on height/weight screening tables plus, for Soldiers who exceeded
the table weight, a circumference-based tape test (historically multi-site: neck, waist, and hips). WHtR is
intended as a single-number replacement for that legacy process.
The Old AFT-Score Exemption Is Gone Confirmed
Under prior policy, a Soldier scoring 465+ on the Army Fitness Test (with all events
passing) was exempt from body composition standards regardless of measurement. WHtR is now the sole
ABCP standard — a strong AFT score no longer exempts anyone from meeting the WHtR threshold.
Confirmation Retest
A Soldier who measures at or above 0.55 gets a confirmation test by a different
measuring team, on the same duty day, to verify accuracy before anything moves forward.
ABCP Enrollment
If the confirmation test also fails, the Soldier is placed in the Army Body Composition
Program (ABCP) to begin the process toward compliance — consistent with how ABCP enrollment has historically
worked, now triggered by WHtR instead of the old tape-test result.
Initial 180-Day Period
Soldiers will not be separated for failing to meet the new standard during an initial
180-day assessment/validation window following the rollout — described as a settling-in period for the new
standard, not a permanent grace policy.
Under the legacy system, Soldiers could request a supplemental body-fat assessment (DXA
scan or InBody device) if reasonably available at their installation. Whether this option survives under the
WHtR-only standard, or in what form, had not been clearly confirmed as of this writing.
Applicability to Cadets
At least one source describes this standard extending to USMA and Senior ROTC cadets;
this wasn't confirmed directly against the Army Directive text available at the time of writing.
Quick WHtR Check
For a rough personal check only — not a substitute for an official measurement.