Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Enter your waist and hip measurements to get your waist-to-hip ratio and what it suggests about health risk.
Measure both in the same unit — the ratio comes out the same either way.
A healthy waist-to-hip ratio is generally 0.90 or below for men and 0.85 or below for women; the WHO flags ratios above these cut-offs as substantially increased health risk.
What waist-to-hip ratio measures
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) divides your waist measurement by your hip measurement. It's a quick gauge of where you carry fat rather than how much you weigh — a higher ratio means more fat around the middle, which research consistently links to greater risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Because it's a ratio of two lengths, the units cancel: you get the same number in centimetres or inches, as long as both use the same unit.
The World Health Organization flags a WHR above 0.90 in men and above 0.85 in women as marking substantially increased health risk. WHR complements — rather than replaces — your BMI and body fat percentage; each tells you something different, and together they give a fuller picture.
Measuring accurately
Technique matters. Measure your waist at its narrowest point after a normal breath out — don't suck in — and your hips at the widest part of the buttocks, keeping the tape level. Measure twice and average. WHR isn't suitable for children, during pregnancy, or for very muscular builds, and it's a screening tool rather than a diagnosis. For a target weight range, see the ideal weight calculator.
WHR health-risk categories
| Sex | Low risk | Moderate risk | High risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 0.90 or below | 0.91 – 0.95 | 0.96 or above |
| Women | 0.80 or below | 0.81 – 0.85 | 0.86 or above |
The WHO cut-off for substantially increased risk is above 0.90 (men) and 0.85 (women). The middle "moderate" band is a common health-portal expansion of that single cut-off, not a distinct WHO category.
Thresholds: WHO Expert Consultation on Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio (2008). A screening estimate, not a diagnosis or medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?
Use a flexible tape over bare skin while standing relaxed. Measure the waist at its narrowest point — for many people just above the navel — after breathing out, without sucking in. Measure the hips at the widest part of the buttocks. Keep the tape snug and level, take each measurement twice and average them. Both measurements must be in the same unit.
Does the ratio change between centimetres and inches?
No. Waist-to-hip ratio is one length divided by another, so the units cancel out and the number is identical whether you measure in centimetres or inches — as long as you use the same unit for both the waist and the hip. No conversion is needed.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The WHO flags a WHR above 0.90 in men and above 0.85 in women as indicating substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. Ratios at or below those cut-offs are generally considered lower risk. These are population-level screening thresholds, not a diagnosis.
Is WHR better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI reflects overall body size relative to height, while WHR reflects where fat is stored — a higher ratio suggests more abdominal (central) fat, which research links to greater cardiometabolic risk. Many people use them together, along with waist circumference, for a fuller picture.
When is WHR unreliable?
WHR can be misleading for children and adolescents, during pregnancy, for people with a large abdominal mass (such as ascites) or unusual body proportions, and for very muscular people whose glute size shifts the ratio. It is a general screening tool only, not a substitute for evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Sources
- WHO — Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation (2008/2011) — WHR risk cut-off points
- Yusuf et al. — INTERHEART case-control study, The Lancet (2005) — WHR predicts myocardial infarction risk
- NIH NHLBI — Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk — Waist-vs-hip fat distribution risk
- NHS — Obesity: Diagnosis (waist measurement) — Waist measurement, abdominal-fat health risk
The thresholds and formulas used by this calculator follow the primary sources above. This tool provides general information, not personalised medical advice.