ABSI Calculator
Calculate the raw A Body Shape Index from height, weight, and waist circumference
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for health-related decisions.
ABSI Calculator
Contents
What is ABSI?
A Body Shape Index (ABSI) scales waist circumference against height and weight through body mass index (BMI). Krakauer and Krakauer proposed it in 2012 using data from 14,105 nonpregnant US adults in NHANES 1999–2004 with mortality follow-up. This worksheet reports the raw index calculated from measurements.
The study analyzed population associations with mortality using age- and sex-specific reference values. A raw ABSI value alone does not provide those comparisons or an individual risk estimate.
Measurements and formula
Enter standing height and waist circumference in centimeters, and body weight in kilograms. The calculator converts both lengths to meters before applying the published equation:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
ABSI = waist (m) ÷ [BMI^(2/3) × height (m)^(1/2)]
In the source study, trained technicians measured waist circumference with a horizontal tape just above the uppermost lateral border of the ilium (hip bone), at the end of a normal exhalation. Using another waist location can change the index.
Example: height 170 cm, weight 70 kg, waist 85 cm. BMI is about 24.22 kg/m² and raw ABSI is 0.077874. Enter ordinary positive decimal numbers; a period or comma can separate the decimal places.
Reading the index
ABSI is an index, not a body fat percentage. A number such as 0.077874 describes the result of the formula; this worksheet does not assign a normal range, clinical category, or mortality risk.
The paper converted ABSI to z-scores using mean and standard deviation values specific to age and sex (its Table S1). A fixed mean or standard deviation would not reproduce that comparison. The source cohort consisted of nonpregnant US adults, and the paper found that the mortality association did not reach significance in its Mexican subgroup. These findings should not be treated as a personal prediction or assumed to apply to every population.
Questions and sources
Why does ABSI also use weight?
Weight and height determine BMI, which is used in the denominator to scale waist size.
Why is there no z-score?
That calculation needs the matched age- and sex-specific reference data from the paper. This worksheet is limited to the raw index.
Source: Krakauer NY and Krakauer JC, PLOS ONE, published July 18, 2012. Source checked September 29, 2026.
Related worksheets: BMI and waist-to-height ratio.