Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Assess fat-distribution health risk from waist and hip measurements.
Results update as you type.
This calculator provides estimates based on population research. Results are not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health or nutrition decisions.
How it works
The waist-to-hip ratio compares the circumference of your waist with that of your hips, and it is a long-established measure of how body fat is distributed, which turns out to matter as much as how much fat you carry. A waist-to-hip ratio calculator divides your waist measurement by your hip measurement to produce a single number that reflects your body shape. A higher ratio means proportionally more fat around the abdomen, the so-called apple shape, while a lower ratio reflects fat carried around the hips and thighs, the pear shape. This distinction is important because abdominal, or visceral, fat sits around internal organs and is strongly linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic problems, whereas fat on the hips and thighs carries less risk. The World Health Organization considers the risk elevated when the ratio exceeds about 0.90 in men or 0.85 in women, reflecting the different body-fat patterns between sexes. A waist-to-hip ratio calculator therefore adds context that weight or body mass index alone cannot, flagging central fat even in people whose overall weight looks normal. Measure your waist at its narrowest point or midway between the lowest rib and the hip bone, and your hips at their widest, keeping the tape snug and level and breathing normally. Because the ratio depends on measurement technique, take care to be consistent. Treat the result as a screening indicator that prompts attention to central fat and metabolic health, not a diagnosis, and combine it with other measures and professional advice.
WHR = waist ÷ hip; elevated risk when >0.90 (men) or >0.85 (women) per WHO
The ratio divides waist circumference by hip circumference, producing a dimensionless number that captures where your body stores fat rather than how much you weigh. A value near or above the WHO thresholds means fat is concentrated around the abdomen, which surrounds organs and drives metabolic risk, whereas a lower value reflects hip and thigh storage that is metabolically safer. The thresholds differ by sex, higher for men, because typical healthy fat distribution and hormonal patterns place women's fat more around the hips.
Source:World Health Organization waist-hip ratio report (2008)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter waist circumference, hip circumference and sex.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Waist-to-hip ratio updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How is waist-to-hip ratio different from BMI?
Body mass index compares weight to height and estimates whether you carry excess weight overall, but it cannot tell where fat sits or distinguish fat from muscle. Waist-to-hip ratio instead reveals fat distribution, highlighting abdominal fat that is especially harmful to metabolic and heart health. Someone can have a normal BMI yet a high ratio, signalling hidden central fat and raised risk. Using both measures together gives a fuller picture than either alone.
Why do men and women have different thresholds?
Men and women naturally store fat in different patterns because of hormonal differences. Women tend to carry more fat around the hips, thighs and buttocks, giving them lower waist-to-hip ratios on average, while men more readily accumulate fat around the abdomen. The World Health Organization sets a higher cut-off for men, about 0.90 versus 0.85 for women, so that each sex is judged against its own typical distribution and the thresholds reflect comparable levels of health risk.
Where exactly should I measure my waist and hips?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point of your torso, roughly midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, and your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Keep the tape snug against the skin without compressing it, level all the way around, and take readings after breathing out normally while standing relaxed. Consistency is key, because small differences in placement noticeably change the ratio, so measure the same way each time.
Is waist-to-hip ratio a reliable health measure?
It is a useful and well-studied indicator of fat distribution, and a high ratio is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, sometimes predicting risk better than BMI. However, it has limits: it can be affected by measurement error, is less meaningful during pregnancy, and does not directly measure visceral fat. It works best as one screening tool among several, alongside waist circumference, BMI and clinical assessment, rather than a standalone diagnosis.
Can I improve my waist-to-hip ratio?
Yes, primarily by reducing abdominal fat, which shrinks the waist and lowers the ratio, since hip circumference changes less. A combination of a modest calorie deficit, regular aerobic exercise, resistance training, adequate sleep and limiting alcohol and refined sugar helps reduce visceral fat over time. Spot reduction does not work, so overall fat loss is the route. Even modest reductions in waist size meaningfully improve the ratio and, more importantly, the metabolic risk it reflects.