Check Your Ratio and Air Force Points
Both services use the Department of Defense limit: your waist must be under 55% of your height. The Air Force also turns your ratio into points on the fitness assessment, with the full 20 points for 0.49 or lower. Pick your height and enter your waist to see both.
Your waist is rounded down to the nearest half inch before the ratio is worked out, the same way both services record it.
The Full Chart
Heights are in half inches because both services record height to the half inch. The last column is the ratio at the maximum waist, truncated to two decimals as both manuals require. At every height that maximum earns 15 Air Force points and meets the Space Force standard.
| Height | Height (cm) | Max waist for 20 AF points (0.49) | Max waist under 0.55 | Ratio at that waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" (58 in) | 147 cm | 28.5 in | 31.5 in | 0.54 |
| 4'10½" (58.5 in) | 149 cm | 29 in | 32 in | 0.54 |
| 4'11" (59 in) | 150 cm | 29 in | 32 in | 0.54 |
| 4'11½" (59.5 in) | 151 cm | 29.5 in | 32.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'0" (60 in) | 152 cm | 29.5 in | 32.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'0½" (60.5 in) | 154 cm | 30 in | 33 in | 0.54 |
| 5'1" (61 in) | 155 cm | 30 in | 33.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'1½" (61.5 in) | 156 cm | 30.5 in | 33.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'2" (62 in) | 157 cm | 30.5 in | 34 in | 0.54 |
| 5'2½" (62.5 in) | 159 cm | 31 in | 34 in | 0.54 |
| 5'3" (63 in) | 160 cm | 31 in | 34.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'3½" (63.5 in) | 161 cm | 31.5 in | 34.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'4" (64 in) | 163 cm | 31.5 in | 35 in | 0.54 |
| 5'4½" (64.5 in) | 164 cm | 32 in | 35 in | 0.54 |
| 5'5" (65 in) | 165 cm | 32 in | 35.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'5½" (65.5 in) | 166 cm | 32.5 in | 36 in | 0.54 |
| 5'6" (66 in) | 168 cm | 32.5 in | 36 in | 0.54 |
| 5'6½" (66.5 in) | 169 cm | 33 in | 36.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'7" (67 in) | 170 cm | 33 in | 36.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'7½" (67.5 in) | 171 cm | 33.5 in | 37 in | 0.54 |
| 5'8" (68 in) | 173 cm | 33.5 in | 37 in | 0.54 |
| 5'8½" (68.5 in) | 174 cm | 34 in | 37.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'9" (69 in) | 175 cm | 34 in | 37.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'9½" (69.5 in) | 177 cm | 34.5 in | 38 in | 0.54 |
| 5'10" (70 in) | 178 cm | 34.5 in | 38 in | 0.54 |
| 5'10½" (70.5 in) | 179 cm | 35 in | 38.5 in | 0.54 |
| 5'11" (71 in) | 180 cm | 35 in | 39 in | 0.54 |
| 5'11½" (71.5 in) | 182 cm | 35.5 in | 39 in | 0.54 |
| 6'0" (72 in) | 183 cm | 35.5 in | 39.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'0½" (72.5 in) | 184 cm | 36 in | 39.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'1" (73 in) | 185 cm | 36 in | 40 in | 0.54 |
| 6'1½" (73.5 in) | 187 cm | 36.5 in | 40 in | 0.54 |
| 6'2" (74 in) | 188 cm | 36.5 in | 40.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'2½" (74.5 in) | 189 cm | 37 in | 40.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'3" (75 in) | 190 cm | 37 in | 41 in | 0.54 |
| 6'3½" (75.5 in) | 192 cm | 37.5 in | 41.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'4" (76 in) | 193 cm | 37.5 in | 41.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'4½" (76.5 in) | 194 cm | 38 in | 42 in | 0.54 |
| 6'5" (77 in) | 196 cm | 38 in | 42 in | 0.54 |
| 6'5½" (77.5 in) | 197 cm | 38.5 in | 42.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'6" (78 in) | 198 cm | 38.5 in | 42.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'6½" (78.5 in) | 199 cm | 39 in | 43 in | 0.54 |
| 6'7" (79 in) | 201 cm | 39 in | 43 in | 0.54 |
| 6'7½" (79.5 in) | 202 cm | 39.5 in | 43.5 in | 0.54 |
| 6'8" (80 in) | 203 cm | 39.5 in | 43.5 in | 0.54 |
Air Force Body Composition Points
Body composition is 20 of the 100 points on the Air Force Physical Fitness Readiness Assessment, and it has no minimum score of its own. The ratio is truncated to two decimals before it is scored, so 0.549 counts as 0.54.
| Ratio (truncated) | Points | Risk band |
|---|---|---|
| 0.49 or lower | 20 | Low risk |
| 0.50 | 19 | Moderate risk |
| 0.51 | 18 | Moderate risk |
| 0.52 | 17 | Moderate risk |
| 0.53 | 16 | Moderate risk |
| 0.54 | 15 | Moderate risk |
| 0.55 | 12.5 | High risk |
| 0.56 | 10 | High risk |
| 0.57 | 7.5 | High risk |
| 0.58 | 5 | High risk |
| 0.59 | 2.5 | High risk |
| 0.60 or higher | 0 | High risk |
Points as published on the Air Force Personnel Center scoring chart and summarized by USAF PT Scores. Your Unit Fitness Program Manager has the official chart.
How the Air Force Applies the Standard
- Scored, not pass/fail: waist-to-height ratio is one of four components of the PFRA, worth up to 20 points. A ratio of 0.55 or higher is in the high-risk band, which does not meet the standard.
- Body fat follow-up: under AFMAN 36-2905, an Airman with a ratio above .55 who also fails the composite PFRA must complete a Tier 2 body fat assessment. It uses an InBody scan where available, or a 2 to 3 site tape method otherwise. The limits are under 26% for men and under 36% for women. Passing makes body composition exempt, and the score is recalculated without it.
- Waist readings: on bare skin at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, at the end of a normal breath out. Three readings, each rounded down to the half inch; if two differ by more than an inch, a fourth is taken. The three closest are averaged and rounded down to the half inch.
- How often: the PFRA is now twice a year for all Airmen (once a year for the Air Reserve Component). An unsatisfactory result means a retest in three months and the Fitness Reconditioning Program.
How the Space Force Applies the Standard
- The standard: SPFMAN 36-2905 says "maintaining a WHtR of less than 0.55 is the Space Force standard." A ratio of 0.55 or higher exceeds it.
- Not scored: body composition is part of the Human Performance Assessment but earns no points. The manual groups results into three categories: 0.49 or lower is "Fit to Fight," 0.50 to 0.54 is "Health Maintenance" (both meet the standard), and 0.55 or higher is "Health Concern."
- Over the limit: Guardians at 0.55 or higher must follow the Body Composition Improvement Program, including a referral to their provider and Holistic Health team. The manual does not use a body fat test as a second chance.
- Waist readings: the MESA method, with a spring-loaded tape at the belly button, held level. Three readings; if any differ by more than an inch, another is taken. The three closest are averaged and rounded down to the half inch.
- How often: the manual (September 2025) requires the assessment at least once a year, in the Guardian's birth month. The Department of Defense's December 2025 guidance calls for twice a year, so check with your unit.
These details come from AFMAN 36-2905 (March 24, 2026) and SPFMAN 36-2905 (September 26, 2025). Both services are updating their rules to match the Pentagon's new fitness guidance, so check the latest version on the Air Force e-Publishing site or ask your Unit Fitness Program Manager or Body Composition Manager. Practice with a spring-loaded tape and our guide to measuring your waist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Air Force waist-to-height standard?
A waist-to-height ratio under 0.55 meets the standard. Under AFMAN 36-2905 (March 24, 2026), body composition is worth 20 of the 100 points on the Physical Fitness Readiness Assessment. The ratio is truncated, not rounded, to two decimals, and 0.49 or lower earns the full 20 points.
What is the Space Force waist-to-height standard?
Guardians must keep a waist-to-height ratio below 0.55 under SPFMAN 36-2905. A ratio of 0.55 or higher exceeds the standard and leads to mandatory actions under the Body Composition Improvement Program. Body composition is assessed but not scored in the Space Force Human Performance Assessment.
What is the maximum waist for a 5'10" Airman or Guardian?
At 5'10" (70 inches), the largest recorded waist under 0.55 is 38 inches, a ratio of 0.54. A 38.5-inch waist gives exactly 0.55. For the full 20 Air Force points (0.49 or lower), the waist must be 34.5 inches or less.
What happens if an Airman is over 0.55?
AFMAN 36-2905 says an Airman with a ratio above .55 who also fails the composite PFRA must complete a Tier 2 body fat assessment, by InBody scan where available or a 2 to 3 site tape method otherwise. The limits are under 26% body fat for men and under 36% for women. Passing makes body composition exempt and the score is recalculated without it.
How are waist and height measured?
Both services take at least three waist readings, add the three closest and divide by three, then round down to the nearest half inch. The Space Force measures at the belly button using the MESA method. The Air Force measures at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone. Height is taken without shoes and recorded to the half inch.
Compare Every Branch
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard all handle body composition differently.
See Standards by Branch →📚 Official Sources
- Department of the Air Force. (Mar. 24, 2026). Air Force Manual 36-2905: Air Force Physical Fitness Program.
AFMAN 36-2905 (PDF) → - United States Space Force. (Sept. 26, 2025). Space Force Manual 36-2905: Holistic Health and Fitness.
SPFMAN 36-2905 (PDF) → - Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. (Dec. 18, 2025). Additional Guidance on Military Fitness Standards.
DoD memo (PDF) → - Air & Space Forces Magazine. (Jan. 13, 2026). Air Force Ahead of New Pentagon Body Composition Standards.
Air & Space Forces Magazine → - USAF PT Scores. Air Force Waist-to-Height Ratio 2026 (summary of the AFPC scoring chart and AFMAN measuring steps).
USAF PT Scores →