Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) from two measurements and see your WHO health-risk category and body-shape type — a simple marker of abdominal fat.

Sex
Waist-to-hip ratio —
Enter your measurements
Body shape—
WHO increased-risk cut-off—
Against the WHO cut-off—

Measure the waist at the narrowest point and the hips at the widest. WHO links a raised ratio (≥0.90 men, ≥0.85 women) to higher cardiometabolic risk.

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. It’s a quick, tape-only way to see where your body stores fat — which turns out to matter as much for health as how much fat you carry.

What the number means

The World Health Organization considers health risk to be substantially increased once the ratio reaches:

  • 0.90 or higher for men
  • 0.85 or higher for women

Below those thresholds is lower risk. The calculator flags your result against the WHO cut-off and sorts it into a low / moderate / high band by sex.

Apple vs pear

A higher ratio means more fat around the middle — an “apple” (central) shape. This visceral fat wraps around the organs and is the type most strongly linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A lower ratio means fat sits more around the hips and thighs — a “pear” shape — which carries less metabolic risk.

Use it alongside BMI

WHR and BMI answer different questions. BMI tells you about total weight for your height; WHR tells you about fat distribution. It’s possible to have a healthy BMI and still carry risky central fat, so the two are best read together. For the overall picture, pair this with the BMI and body fat calculators.

Limitations

WHR is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Measurement technique affects the result, and the same ratio can mean different things across ages and ethnic groups. Treat it as one signal among several, and discuss any concern with a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?

Stand relaxed and breathe out. Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the belly button, and your hips at the widest point of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin. Waist ÷ hip gives your ratio — the units cancel, so centimetres or inches give the same number.

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

The World Health Organization links a substantially raised health risk to a ratio of 0.90 or above in men and 0.85 or above in women. Below those cut-offs is considered lower risk. A lower ratio means fat is carried more around the hips than the abdomen.

Why does waist-to-hip ratio matter more than weight?

Where you store fat matters as much as how much you carry. Fat around the abdomen (an 'apple' shape) sits near the organs and is more strongly tied to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure than fat around the hips and thighs (a 'pear' shape). WHR captures that pattern; the bathroom scale doesn't.

Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?

They measure different things. BMI reflects overall weight for height; WHR reflects fat distribution. Used together they give a fuller picture — someone with a normal BMI but a high WHR still carries elevated risk from central fat.

References