💪
💪 Health & fitness

Metabolic Syndrome Calculator (5 criteria, harmonized definition)

Results update as you type.

Your numbers

Understanding the metabolic syndrome calculator — concept and principle

This calculator checks the five criteria of the 2009 harmonized definition of metabolic syndrome: waist size, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting glucose. Metabolic syndrome is present when 3 or more are met. It is used in health check-ups to flag people at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

3 of 5 criteria3 of 5 criteria: waist 92 ✓ · TG 160 ✓ Korean cut-off 90 cm, HDL 45 ✗ · BP ✗ · FPG 104 ✓ fasting glucose ≥ 100 → 3 criteria met meets the definition3 of 5 criteriawaist 92 ✓ · TG 160 ✓Korean cut-off 90 cmHDL 45 ✗ · BP ✗ · FPG 104 ✓fasting glucose ≥ 1003 criteria metmeets the definition
3 of 5 criteria: with the default inputs the result is 3 criteria met (meets the definition).

How it is calculated

Count one point for each criterion met:

  1. Waist at or above the population cut-off (Korea, KSSO: 90 cm men / 85 cm women; other Asian 90/80; Europid 94/80; US 102/88).
  2. Triglycerides 150 mg/dL or more, or treatment for them.
  3. HDL below 40 mg/dL in men or below 50 mg/dL in women, or treatment.
  4. Blood pressure 130 systolic or 85 diastolic or more, or treatment.
  5. Fasting glucose 100 mg/dL or more, or glucose-lowering treatment.

3 or more = metabolic syndrome.

The principle

These factors tend to cluster because of insulin resistance, often driven by fat stored around the abdominal organs. Together they raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes more than each alone. In 2009 several international bodies agreed on common thresholds, with waist cut-offs that differ by population because body fat distribution and risk at a given waist size vary between ethnic groups.

Worked example

Default inputs: male, waist 92 cm (Korean cut-off), TG 160, HDL 45, BP 128/84, fasting glucose 104, no medicines.

  1. Waist 92 ≥ 90 → met.
  2. TG 160 ≥ 150 → met.
  3. HDL 45 is not below 40 → not met.
  4. BP 128/84 below 130/85 → not met.
  5. Glucose 104 ≥ 100 → met.
  6. Criteria met = 3 → Yes — talk to your doctor.

How to read the result

Where does your result fall?Not metMetabolic syndrome≥3Your result: 3 · Metabolic syndromeReference: Harmonized definition 2009
Where does your result fall?

Meeting the definition signals higher risk, not a disease in itself. Weight loss, regular activity, a healthy diet, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol improve several criteria at once. Each abnormal value may also need its own treatment.

Common mistakes

Keep in mind: This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Discuss your results and any treatment with a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the waist cut-off differ by country?

Risk at the same waist size varies between populations, so cut-offs are set for each.

Can metabolic syndrome be reversed?

Yes. Lifestyle changes can bring several values back below the thresholds.

Do I need to fast before the test?

Yes, triglycerides and glucose should be measured after an overnight fast.

Sources: Alberti KGMM, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, et al., "Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome", Circulation 2009;120:1640–1645 · Lee SY, Park HS, Kim DJ, et al., "Appropriate waist circumference cutoff points for central obesity in Korean adults", Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2007;75(1):72–80

Checked 9 Nov 2026. Alberti KGMM, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, et al., “Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome”, Circulation 2009;120:1640–1645 (Table 1 criteria and Table 2 waist cut-offs); Korean waist cut-off: Lee SY, Park HS, Kim DJ, et al., “Appropriate waist circumference cutoff points for central obesity in Korean adults”, Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2007;75(1):72–80 (Korean Society for the Study of Obesity).

💪 All health & fitness tools →🌍 Calculators by country →