Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Body fat distribution and health risk.
Show detailsHide details
Where you carry fat matters as much as how much you carry. The waist-to-hip ratio compares your waist and hip measurements to flag whether fat is concentrated around the middle — a pattern linked to higher health risk. Enter two measurements to find yours.
Loading calculator...
Waist-to-Hip Ratio — The Quick Answer
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. The WHO considers a ratio above 0.90 for men or 0.85 for women to indicate higher health risk from central fat.
Shortcut
WHR = waist ÷ hip
WHO health-risk categories
| Risk | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.90 or less | 0.80 or less |
| Moderate | 0.91 – 0.95 | 0.81 – 0.85 |
| High | 0.96 or more | 0.86 or more |
Because the units cancel out in the division, you can measure in centimetres or inches — the ratio comes out the same, as long as you use one unit for both.
How It Works
The Formula
A simple ratio
Formula
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference
Variables
Waist circumference
Measured at the narrowest part of the torso, usually just above the navel, without pulling the tape tight.
Hip circumference
Measured at the widest part of the buttocks.
Waist-to-hip ratio
The result. Higher values indicate more fat around the middle (an 'apple' shape), which carries greater health risk than fat on the hips.
Note: Waist-to-hip ratio captures something BMI misses: fat around the abdomen (visceral fat) is more strongly linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes than fat on the hips and thighs.
Worked Example: Waist 85 cm, Hips 100 cm
A single division — units cancel out
Measure the waist at its narrowest point
85 cm
Measure the hips at their widest point
100 cm
Divide waist by hip
85 ÷ 100 = 0.85
Read against the thresholds
0.85 is borderline for a woman, low-to-moderate risk for a man
Reference Guide
| Risk level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.90 or less | 0.80 or less |
| Moderate | 0.91 – 0.95 | 0.81 – 0.85 |
| High | 0.96 and above | 0.86 and above |
What Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio Means
Why fat distribution matters as much as weight
A ratio at or below 0.90 for men (0.80 for women) suggests fat is distributed in a lower-risk, more 'pear-shaped' pattern. It's a reassuring sign, though it's one indicator among several.
Best for: A positive signal to maintain, confirmed alongside other measures
A higher ratio points to more fat around the middle ('apple-shaped'), especially visceral fat around the organs, which is more strongly linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes than fat on the hips. It's a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
Best for: A cue to review lifestyle and discuss risk with a doctor
Two people at the same weight or BMI can carry very different health risk depending on where fat sits. Waist-to-hip ratio captures that, which is why it adds information BMI misses. This is a screening indicator, not medical advice.
Best for: Pairing with BMI and body-fat percentage for a fuller picture
What Is Waist-to-Hip Ratio?
Waist-to-hip ratio compares the circumference of your waist to that of your hips — simply waist divided by hip. It's a quick measure of how body fat is distributed, which matters because fat carried around the abdomen (especially visceral fat around the organs) is more strongly tied to health risks like heart disease and type 2 diabetes than fat on the hips and thighs. Because it's a ratio, the units cancel, so centimetres or inches both work as long as you use one for both. It captures something BMI can't — where fat sits, not just how much you weigh — which is why clinicians often look at both together.
Key Features
💡 Pro Tips
- →Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest, keeping the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin.
- →Measure after breathing out normally, and take each measurement a couple of times to average out small errors.
- →Use the same tape and the same technique each time you re-check, so changes you track are real rather than measurement noise.
- →Read it alongside BMI and, if you can, body-fat percentage — no single number captures health on its own.
Common Mistakes
Measuring the waist at the wrong place
Measuring at the belt line or sucking in changes the number. Use the narrowest point of the torso (usually around the navel) and breathe normally for a consistent, meaningful reading.
Treating the ratio as a diagnosis
Waist-to-hip ratio is a screening indicator of fat distribution, not a medical verdict. A higher ratio is a prompt to look closer with a professional, not a conclusion in itself.
Comparing against the wrong threshold
The risk cut-offs differ by sex (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women at the higher end). Using the wrong set misreads the result.
Research & Citations
Sources and standards referenced for the factual claims on this page
- [1]
World Health Organization (2008). Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation. WHO, Geneva.
Source of the waist-to-hip ratio risk thresholds used here.
View source - [2]
Yusuf, S., Hawken, S., et al. (INTERHEART Study) (2005). Obesity and the risk of myocardial infarction in 27,000 participants from 52 countries. The Lancet, 366(9497).
Evidence that waist-to-hip ratio predicts heart-attack risk, often beyond BMI.
View source
This calculator is a reference tool, not a substitute for professional advice. Verify important health, financial, legal, or safety decisions with a suitably qualified professional.
Last updated: October 8, 2026
Creators
Computer Scientist & Developer Tools Author
Reviewers
Technical Reviewer
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Privacy Guaranteed
Your data never leaves your browser. All calculations are 100% private.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my waist-to-hip ratio?
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. If your waist is 85 cm and hips are 100 cm, your ratio is 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85. Use the same unit for both measurements.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The WHO considers 0.90 or below healthy for men and 0.80 or below for women. Ratios above 0.95 (men) or 0.85 (women) indicate higher risk from central body fat.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI reflects overall weight relative to height; waist-to-hip ratio reflects fat distribution. For predicting heart-disease risk, waist measures often add useful information beyond BMI, so many clinicians look at both.
Where exactly should I measure?
Measure the waist at its narrowest point (usually around the navel) and the hips at the widest point of the buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin, and measure after breathing out normally.