MasterTool

ABSI Calculator

Calculate ABSI (A Body Shape Index) from waist, height and weight using the Krakauer & Krakauer (2012) formula.

Loading calculator…

What this tool does

Calculate ABSI (A Body Shape Index) from waist, height and weight using the Krakauer & Krakauer (2012) formula. ABSI expresses waist size relative to what BMI and height predict. Interpretation in the original research is by age/sex z-scores; this tool reports the raw index only, with no risk claim.

How to use the ABSI Calculator

  1. Enter or select waist circumference in in.
  2. Enter or select body weight in lb.
  3. Enter or select height in in.
  4. Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.

Formula

ABSI = waist(m) / (BMI^(2/3) × height(m)^(1/2)) (Krakauer & Krakauer 2012)
waist
Waist circumference (in, before metric conversion)
weight
Body weight (lb, before metric conversion)
height
Height (in, before metric conversion)

ABSI expresses waist size relative to what BMI and height predict. Interpretation in the original research is by age/sex z-scores; this tool reports the raw index only, with no risk claim.

Worked example

For absi calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Waist circumference: 34; Body weight: 154; Height: 69.

Inputs

  • Waist circumference34 in
  • Body weight154 lb
  • Height69 in

Result

  • ABSI0.08
  • Your BMI (for reference)22.74

Results explained

ABSI
ABSI from the formula above. ABSI expresses waist size relative to what BMI and height predict. Interpretation in the original research is by age/sex z-scores; this tool reports the raw index only, with no risk claim.
Your BMI (for reference)
Your BMI (for reference) from the formula above. ABSI expresses waist size relative to what BMI and height predict. Interpretation in the original research is by age/sex z-scores; this tool reports the raw index only, with no risk claim.

Frequently asked questions

A Body Shape Index (Krakauer & Krakauer, 2012) measures how large your waist is compared with people of the same BMI and height. Typical adult values cluster around 0.08.

ABSI = waist circumference in metres divided by (BMI to the power 2/3 × square root of height in metres).

In the original NHANES cohort research, higher ABSI (relative to age/sex averages) was associated with higher mortality risk independent of BMI. This tool reports the raw index only — it does not compute a personal risk score.

ABSI is interpreted through age- and sex-specific z-scores from the research population. Publishing a raw-index cut-off would misrepresent the method, so no category is shown.

They answer different questions: BMI scales weight by height; ABSI isolates waist-for-size. Researchers use them together, and neither diagnoses an individual.