DA Form 5500 is the Army Body Composition Screening and Assessment Worksheet. The July 2026 edition records a Soldier’s waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Download the official fillable PDF below, then use this guide to check the edition, complete the worksheet, and understand the current assessment method.
2026 update: The Army now uses WHtR as its sole body composition assessment. Older guides that describe neck measurements and male body fat percentage calculations explain a previous method.
Download the official DA Form 5500 fillable PDF – July 2026
What Is DA Form 5500 Used For?
The worksheet documents an Army body composition assessment. It brings the Soldier’s details, measurements, calculated ratio, compliance result, and required signatures into one record.
Under Army Directive 2026-13, Soldiers’ WHtR results must also be recorded in the Army Training Information System (ATIS). Completing a PDF alone does not complete that separate recording requirement.
Where Can You Download DA Form 5500 for Free?
Use the official Army-hosted PDF linked above. You can open and save the blank form without buying a template or using a paid form-filling service.
First, download the file to your device. Next, open it in a PDF application that supports fillable fields. Before entering information, check the edition printed at the bottom of the page. Finally, save your completed copy and reopen it to make sure your entries remain visible.
If the browser preview does not let you type into a field, try the downloaded file in a compatible PDF application. A browser’s display of a PDF does not show whether every form feature will work.
Which DA Form 5500 Edition Should You Use?
Use the July 2026 edition for the current WHtR worksheet. The footer identifies it as DA FORM 5500, JUL 2026 and states that earlier editions are obsolete.
| Item | Current worksheet |
|---|---|
| Form title | Army Body Composition Screening and Assessment Worksheet |
| Edition | July 2026 |
| Length | One page |
| Assessment | Waist-to-height ratio |
| Format | Fillable PDF |
If your copy is titled Body Fat Content Worksheet (Male), it is an older edition. Replace that blank template before preparing a current assessment. Also check saved bookmarks and shared folders, because an old download can remain available after policy changes.
How Do You Fill Out DA Form 5500 Step by Step?
Use the current worksheet together with the Army’s WHtR measurement instructions. The following steps summarize the workflow; the official instructions explain the full measurement procedure.
- Enter identifying details. Complete the name, rank, age, and sex fields. Check these entries before recording measurements.
- Record height. Follow the official height procedure, including measuring in socks without shoes and applying its half-inch rule.
- Record waist measurements. The trained team measures at the navel three times. Round each waist reading down to the nearest half inch. Enter the average to three decimal places as directed on the worksheet.
- Calculate the ratio. Divide average waist circumference by height, using inches for both. Keep three decimal places without rounding the final WHtR value.
- Complete the result and review. Use the confirmation section when required. The preparer and supervisor complete their respective signature and date fields.
Official measurements require trained personnel. The implementing guidance uses two team members, with one measuring and the other checking technique and recording the readings. Therefore, a personal estimate should not replace the unit’s assessment.
How Is WHtR Calculated on DA Form 5500?
WHtR = average waist circumference in inches / height in inches.
The current standard is a ratio below 0.550. Keep the first three digits after the decimal point and discard any later digits. Do not use a calculator setting that rounds the final result.
For example, an average waist of 37.0 inches and height of 70.0 inches gives 0.528571…, which is recorded as 0.528. That ratio meets the standard. By comparison, 38.5 inches divided by 70.0 inches gives 0.550, which does not meet the standard.
A result of 0.549 meets the standard; 0.550 does not. These examples explain the arithmetic. The measurement team must still apply the official procedures to the actual readings.
What Happens if DA Form 5500 Shows a Result Outside the Standard?
The Army’s body composition program FAQ requires a confirmation measurement by a different team on the same duty day before administrative action. If the confirmed result still fails the standard, the Soldier is enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) and flagged.
Keep the initial and confirmation entries clear so the reviewer can follow the assessment. Use the worksheet’s designated sections rather than replacing the first set of readings with the second.
Does DA Form 5500 Still Require Neck Measurements?
No. The July 2026 WHtR worksheet uses waist and height. The Army’s July 2026 policy announcement explains that WHtR replaced the previous height-and-weight screening tables, circumference-based body fat test, and supplemental assessments.
As a result, instructions to subtract neck circumference from abdominal circumference describe an earlier process. Do not combine that calculation with the current ratio. WHtR is also a ratio, so a recorded result such as 0.528 is not a body fat percentage.
Is DA Form 5500 Used for Female Soldiers?
Yes. The current form includes male and female selections. Army Directive 2026-13 requires WHtR recording on this worksheet for all Soldiers and rescinds DA Form 5501.
If you encounter separate male and female body fat worksheets in an older resource, check its date before following it. For other paperwork, browse our DA forms directory, then verify the edition against the relevant official publication.
Can You Fill and Sign DA Form 5500 Electronically?
The official PDF includes fillable fields and signature fields. Whether you complete it electronically or print it, follow your unit’s accepted signing and recordkeeping process.
Before submitting the worksheet, check the saved entries, measurement units, decimal places, dates, and signatures. In particular, make sure a PDF viewer has not hidden an entry or left an expected field blank. Keep the completed copy available for the unit’s review.
Which Official Sources Explain DA Form 5500?
Use these sources to check the form and its supporting policy:
- Official July 2026 worksheet for the blank PDF and its field instructions.
- Army Directive 2026-13 for the governing policy change.
- EXORD 182-26, Annex A for measurement procedures.
- Army policy updates for the Army’s published explanation and related resources.