Guides & Standards

Plain explanations of the Army body composition standards, the policy behind them, and what each one means for you in practice.

Last reviewed: 14 October 2026

All Guides

Both live standards in one place: the waist-to-height ratio for serving Soldiers, and the AR 600-9 tables that still apply at MEPS.

The directive that rescinded the tables and the tape test on 7 July 2026, the timeline behind it, and what the 180-day review means.

What the regulation still governs, which parts were superseded, and how measurements are taken and recorded.

The Table B-2 limits, the circumference formulas, worked examples, and where these figures still apply.

The Army's own method, the four errors that cost people half an inch, and what to do once you have the number.

How accession screening actually works, why being over the table is not a disqualification, and the Army height limits.

The five AFT events, the 60-per-event and 300-total rules, and why your score no longer affects body composition.

What enrolment involves: the confirmation test, flagging, removal, and the separation pause during the review.

If you are already serving, the standard that applies to you is the waist-to-height ratio — start with the WHtR calculator.

If you are joining, the height and weight table and the tape test still apply to you — start with the MEPS calculator.

If you are not sure which group you fall into, the main calculator runs both and explains the difference.