Introduction
The Army Height and Weight Calculator helps you check if you meet the body composition standards set by AR 600-9, the Army Body Composition Program. Until July 2026 every soldier had to pass a weight screening based on height, age, and gender. If your weight is over the limit, you move to a second step called the tape test, which estimates your body fat percentage using neck, waist, and hip measurements.
This calculator applies the current standard, the waist-to-height ratio, and keeps both legacy steps as an option. First, it looks up your maximum allowed weight from the official Army screening tables. Then, if needed, it uses the AR 600-9 circumference formula to estimate your body fat and compares it to the standard for your age group. You also get your BMI and waist-to-height ratio as bonus reference numbers, along with a full step-by-step breakdown of every calculation.
2026 update: Army Directive 2026-13 discontinued the height and weight screening tables and the tape test; the Army's only standard is now a waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.55.2 It took effect on July 7, 2026.3 The screening and tape-test results below follow the earlier regulation and are kept as a reference; the waist-to-height ratio shown with your results is the figure that matters under current policy.
Enter your gender, age, height, and weight to start. Add your tape measurements if you want a body fat estimate.
How to Use Our Army Height and Weight Calculator
Enter your basic body measurements below to find out if you meet the AR 600-9 Army body composition standards. Under the current standard the calculator shows your waist-to-height ratio against the 0.55 limit and your BMI; in the legacy view it shows your weight screening result, estimated body fat percentage, BMI, and waist-to-height ratio.
Gender: Select either Male or Female. This determines which AR 600-9 weight and body fat tables apply to you.
Age: Enter your age in years, from 17 to 65. Your age sets your Army age band, which changes the maximum allowed weight and body fat percentage.
Height: Enter your height in feet and inches. For example, if you are 5 feet 10 inches tall, type 5 in the feet box and 10 in the inches box.
Weight: Enter your body weight. You can switch between pounds (lbs) and kilograms (kg) using the toggle buttons above the input field.
Neck Circumference: Measure around your neck just below the Adam's apple. AR 600-9 rounds the neck up to the nearest half inch.1
Waist Circumference: Measure around your waist at the level of your belly button. AR 600-9 rounds the abdominal measurement down to the nearest half inch.1
Hip Circumference (females only): This field appears when Female is selected. Measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks and round to the nearest half inch.
Once all fields are filled in, click the Calculate button to see your results. Click Reset to clear all entries and start over.
Army Height and Weight Calculator: AR 600-9 Standards
The Army uses a set of rules called AR 600-9 to make sure every soldier stays at a healthy weight and body fat level. This calculator helps you check if you meet those rules before an official weigh-in.
How the Army Screening Works
There are two steps in the Army body composition process. Step 1 is a simple weight check. The Army has a table that lists a minimum and maximum weight for each height. Your age and gender also matter because older soldiers are allowed slightly higher limits. If your weight falls within the allowed range, you pass and no further testing is needed.
Step 2 only happens if you go over the maximum screening weight. This step is called the tape test. A trained person measures the circumference of your neck and waist. If you are female, your hips are also measured. These numbers are plugged into a formula that estimates your body fat percentage. Each age group has a maximum body fat limit. Males range from 20% to 26%, and females range from 30% to 36%, depending on age.1 If your body fat is at or below the limit, you pass even though your weight was high.
What This Calculator Measures
Under the current standard the calculator gives you the waist-to-height ratio and BMI; the legacy view gives you four results:
- Weight Screening: Tells you if your weight is within the AR 600-9 table limits for your height, age, and gender.
- Body Fat Percentage: Uses the official Army circumference formula to estimate your body fat from your tape measurements.
- BMI (Body Mass Index): A common health number based on your height and weight. The Army does not use BMI to pass or fail you, but it is a helpful reference.
- Waist-to-Height Ratio: A simple health marker that compares your waist size to your height. This is not an Army standard but can flag health risks.
AR 600-9 Age Bands
The Army groups ages into four bands: 17–20, 21–27, 28–39, and 40 and older.1 Younger soldiers have stricter limits. As you move into an older age band, the allowed maximum weight and body fat percentage go up slightly.
How Tape Measurements Are Taken
Accurate tape measurements are important. Under AR 600-9 the neck is measured just below the Adam's apple and rounded up to the nearest half inch, and the waist is measured at the belly button and rounded down to the nearest half inch.1 For females, the hips are measured at the widest point. Each site is measured three times, and the average is used. Small errors in these numbers can change your body fat result by several percentage points.
Important Notes
The legacy view uses the same formulas and tables found in AR 600-9, but this is not an official Army tool.1 Only a certified unit measurement taken by a trained person counts as an official result. Use this calculator to prepare and understand where you stand before your next weigh-in.