Health
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and check your health risk against WHO cut-offs for men and women.
Your measurements
Enter your waist and hip measurements to see your ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
What is a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and how is it different from BMI?
WHR divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference to estimate how fat is distributed around your body. BMI uses weight and height to gauge total body mass but says nothing about where fat sits. WHR captures central (visceral) fat stored around the abdomen, which is a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic risk, so a person with a normal BMI can still carry a high-risk WHR.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
This calculator uses three bands. For men: low risk is below 0.90, moderate is 0.90 to below 1.00, and high is 1.00 or above. For women: low risk is below 0.80, moderate is 0.80 to below 0.85, and high is 0.85 or above. The high-risk boundaries follow the WHO cut-offs for substantially increased metabolic risk (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women); the moderate band is a common public-health convention, not a strict WHO category. Results are estimates, so consult a clinician before making health decisions.
What is the difference between an apple-shaped and a pear-shaped body?
Apple-shaped bodies carry more weight around the abdomen, which raises WHR. Pear-shaped bodies carry more weight around the hips and thighs, which lowers WHR. The distinction matters because abdominal fat is metabolically active and linked to higher rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, while hip and thigh fat does not carry those risks to the same degree.
How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?
Stand relaxed and breathe out normally before each measurement. For the waist, place a soft tape at the narrowest point of your torso, usually just above the navel and below the rib cage. For the hips, wrap the tape around the widest point of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug against the skin without compressing it. Taking each measurement twice and averaging the two gives a more reliable result.
Does WHR work the same for all ages and ethnicities?
Not perfectly. The cut-offs are based on broad population averages and may under- or overestimate risk for people of Asian or South Asian descent, where lower thresholds are often recommended, and for older adults whose body composition changes with age. Use WHR as one signal alongside BMI, absolute waist circumference, and advice from a healthcare provider.