Marine Corps Height & Weight Standards
The Marine Corps screens body composition with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Enter your height and waist to see where you stand against the standard, plus the maximum body fat percentage for your age and gender.
Check your body composition standard
Within WHtR standard (≤ 0.52)
Waist-to-height ratio
0.486Waist ÷ height. The standard is a ratio of 0.52 or lower.
Maximum waist allowed
36.0 in
Remaining before exceeding
2.0 in
Recorded height
70.0 in
Recorded waist
34.0 in
Maximum body fat
18%
Reference age
25
Height and waist are recorded to the nearest half inch, rounded down, before the ratio is taken — so the recorded values can differ slightly from what you entered.
How Marine Corps body composition is screened
Body composition is screened with the waist-to-height ratio: your recorded waist circumference divided by your recorded height, both in inches. A Marine at or below the ratio standard meets the screening — whatever the scale says. This is the USMC standard for 2026 and later; it is the ratio, not body weight, that decides the screening.
Exceeding the ratio is not an automatic failure. It routes you to a body fat evaluation using the multi-site tape test and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). If the initial method is outside standards, the remaining method is used for a secondary assessment. Only if the final assessment is also outside standards may a Marine be assigned to the Body Composition Program.
Both measurements are recorded to the nearest half inch, rounded down, which is why the screening above shows recorded values that can differ slightly from what you entered. It uses the same standards data as the CorpsGuide app.
The three steps
Waist-to-height screening
Recorded waist divided by recorded height. Meet the ratio standard and the screening ends here — no tape test, no body fat evaluation.
Body fat evaluation
Marines over the ratio are evaluated by multi-site tape test and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis. If the first method is outside standards, the other is used as a secondary assessment.
Body Composition Program
Only if the final assessment is still over the maximum body fat for the Marine's age and gender may they be assigned to the BCP.
Maximum body fat by age
If the waist-to-height screening is exceeded, these are the maximum body fat percentages a Marine may carry:
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 17–25 | 18% | 26% |
| 26–35 | 19% | 27% |
| 36–45 | 20% | 28% |
| 46 and above | 21% | 29% |
Ages above 51 are held to the age 51 standard. Marines with high PFT and CFT scores are allowed additional body fat — see below.
Marine Corps height and weight chart
The height and weight table lists the maximum screening weight for each height. The CorpsGuide app carries it as reference data alongside the waist-to-height screening:
| Height | Male max weight (lb) | Female max weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 52 in | 106 | 100 |
| 53 in | 110 | 104 |
| 54 in | 114 | 108 |
| 55 in | 118 | 112 |
| 56 in | 122 | 115 |
| 57 in | 127 | 120 |
| 58 in | 131 | 124 |
| 59 in | 136 | 129 |
| 60 in | 141 | 133 |
| 61 in | 145 | 137 |
| 62 in | 150 | 142 |
| 63 in | 155 | 146 |
| 64 in | 160 | 151 |
| 65 in | 165 | 156 |
| 66 in | 170 | 161 |
| 67 in | 175 | 166 |
| 68 in | 180 | 171 |
| 69 in | 186 | 176 |
| 70 in | 191 | 181 |
| 71 in | 197 | 186 |
| 72 in | 202 | 191 |
| 73 in | 208 | 197 |
| 74 in | 214 | 202 |
| 75 in | 220 | 208 |
| 76 in | 225 | 213 |
| 77 in | 231 | 219 |
| 78 in | 237 | 225 |
| 79 in | 244 | 230 |
| 80 in | 250 | 236 |
| 81 in | 256 | 242 |
| 82 in | 263 | 248 |
| 83 in | 269 | 255 |
| 84 in | 276 | 261 |
| 85 in | 283 | 267 |
| 86 in | 289 | 274 |
Heights are in inches, weights in pounds. Under the current standard the waist-to-height ratio — not body weight — is the screening determination; this table is reference only.
PFT and CFT body fat allowances
High fitness test scores earn additional body fat allowance:
- Scores of 250 or higher on both the PFT and the CFT allow an additional 1% body fat.
- Scores of 285 or higher on both tests allow up to 26% body fat for males and 36% for females.
How the measurement is taken
- Waist circumference is measured at the navel, parallel to the deck.
- A self-tensioning tape must be used.
- The evaluator must be the same sex as the Marine being measured.
- Two measurements are taken to ensure accuracy.
- The lower of the two measurements is recorded.
- The final result is rounded down to the nearest 1/2 inch before recording.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Marine Corps height and weight standard?
The Marine Corps screens body composition with the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) — recorded waist divided by recorded height. A Marine at or below the ratio standard meets the screening.
What happens if I exceed the WHtR standard?
You are not automatically out of standards. The next step is a body fat evaluation using the multi-site tape test and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis. Only if that assessment is also outside standards may you be assigned to the Body Composition Program.
What is the maximum body fat percentage for Marines?
It depends on age and gender, rising with each age bracket. Use the table on this page for your exact bracket, or enter your age in the screening above.
How is the waist measured?
At the navel, parallel to the deck, with a self-tensioning tape and an evaluator of the same sex. Two measurements are taken, the lower is recorded, and the result is rounded down to the nearest half inch.
Do PFT and CFT scores affect body fat standards?
Yes. Scores of 250 or higher on both tests allow an additional 1% body fat, and scores of 285 or higher on both allow up to 26% for males and 36% for females.
Does this replace an official measurement?
No. CorpsGuide is an educational tool. Your official screening is conducted and recorded by your unit — always verify against current Marine Corps orders.