Important Note : raw ABSI alone is not a diagnosis and is best interpreted against age- and sex-specific norms.

Use this ABSI (A Body Shape Index) Calculator to estimate A Body Shape Index (ABSI) from your waist circumference, height, and weight. It is useful as a body-shape screening metric that combines waist size with overall body size and can complement BMI when thinking about central body-fat pattern.

Reviewed by: AjaxCalculators Editorial Team
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Method source: A Body Shape Index (ABSI) formula based on waist circumference adjusted for BMI and height
Editorial standards: AjaxCalculators Editorial Policy

What This ABSI (A Body Shape Index) Calculator Calculates

This calculator estimates:

• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• A Body Shape Index (ABSI)

It uses three basic measurements:

• Height
• Weight
• Waist circumference

The goal is to give a screening-style measure of whether waist size is relatively large for a person’s overall body size.

How the ABSI (A Body Shape Index) Calculator Works

ABSI is built from BMI and waist circumference.

First, BMI is calculated in the standard way:

BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²)

Then ABSI is calculated as:

ABSI = waist circumference / (BMI^2/3 × height^1/2)

This formula was designed so that waist circumference is adjusted for overall body size, making ABSI less tied to height, weight, and BMI than waist circumference alone.

What ABSI Is Intended to Measure

ABSI was introduced as a way to capture body shape, especially the degree to which waist size is high relative to body size. The original ABSI research found that higher ABSI was associated with higher mortality hazard independently of BMI.

That does not mean ABSI is a diagnosis. It means ABSI can act as a risk-screening metric that may add context beyond BMI alone.

Assumptions and Important Notes

• This calculator gives a screening estimate, not a diagnosis.
• ABSI is most meaningful when measured accurately, especially waist circumference.
• The original research used age- and sex-specific ABSI z-scores for risk interpretation, not just the raw ABSI value by itself.
• That means a raw ABSI number alone is less informative than a norm-referenced interpretation.
• ABSI may complement BMI, but it does not replace full clinical assessment.
• Body composition, fitness, muscle mass, and medical context still matter.

Worked Example

Suppose someone enters:

• Height: 175 cm
• Weight: 70 kg
• Waist circumference: 85 cm

Step 1: Convert to metric base units
Height = 1.75 m
Waist = 0.85 m

Step 2: Calculate BMI
BMI = 70 / (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.86

Step 3: Calculate ABSI
ABSI = 0.85 / (22.86^2/3 × 1.75^1/2)

Step 4: Interpret carefully
The resulting ABSI is a raw value. On its own, it is best treated as a screening number rather than a stand-alone health conclusion.

How to Use This ABSI Calculator

1. Enter your height.
2. Enter your weight.
3. Enter your waist circumference.
4. Review the BMI and ABSI outputs.
5. Use the result as a body-shape screening metric, not as a diagnosis.

How to Interpret the Result

BMI gives a broad size-based screening measure.

ABSI gives a waist-adjusted body-shape measure that aims to reflect whether waist size is relatively high for your body size.

A higher ABSI generally suggests a relatively larger waist for the same height and weight. However, the strongest research interpretation uses age- and sex-specific ABSI normalization, so a raw ABSI value alone should be interpreted cautiously.

Practical Uses of an ABSI Calculator

• screen waist-related body-shape risk beyond BMI alone
• compare waist size in relation to overall body size
• add another anthropometric measure to lifestyle tracking
• understand why two people with the same BMI may have different waist-related risk patterns

References

1. Krakauer NY, Krakauer JC. A New Body Shape Index Predicts Mortality Hazard Independently of Body Mass Index
2. PMC full text: ABSI development, age/sex normalization, and z-score interpretation
3. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care: ABSI formula reference
4. CDC: BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis

Related Calculators

• Waist to Hip and Height Ratio Calculator
• Ideal Weight Calculator
• Calorie Calculator
• Maintenance Calorie Calculator

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and screening use only. ABSI is not a diagnosis, and raw ABSI values are most useful when interpreted with age-, sex-, and clinical context. If you are concerned about weight, waist size, cardiometabolic risk, or body composition, discuss the result with a qualified healthcare professional.