Two people with the same weight and BMI can carry their weight very differently. Fat stored around the abdomen, especially around the organs, is more strongly linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease than fat stored on the hips and thighs. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a quick tape-measure check of that pattern.
How to use the waist-to-hip ratio calculator
- Choose inches or centimeters and select your sex.
- Measure your waist midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, after breathing out normally. Keep the tape snug but not pressing into the skin.
- Measure your hips around the widest part of the buttocks, with feet together.
- Read your ratio, the WHO risk category, a separate waist-size check and the waist measurement that would put you exactly at the cutoff.
Waist-to-hip ratio formula
Both measurements must use the same unit; the ratio itself has no unit.
Worked example
A woman measures a 30-inch waist and 38-inch hips:
WHR = 30 ÷ 38 = 0.79
The WHO cutoff for women is 0.85, so her ratio is below it. Her waist (30 in, about 76 cm) is also under the 80 cm (31.5 in) level at which WHO starts to flag increased risk.
With 38-inch hips, a waist of 0.85 × 38 = 32.3 inches would reach the cutoff.
WHO cutoffs
The World Health Organization’s 2008 expert consultation on waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio set these thresholds for adults:
| Measure | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Waist-to-hip ratio, substantially increased risk | 0.85 or more | 0.90 or more |
| Waist circumference, increased risk | above 80 cm (31.5 in) | above 94 cm (37 in) |
| Waist circumference, substantially increased risk | above 88 cm (34.6 in) | above 102 cm (40.2 in) |
US clinical guidance from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute uses a similar waist threshold of 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men.
Apple and pear shapes
A ratio at or above the cutoff is often described as an apple shape, with weight carried around the middle. A ratio well below it describes a pear shape, with more weight on the hips and thighs. Men tend toward apple shapes and premenopausal women toward pear shapes; after menopause, many women find fat shifts toward the waist.
Limits of the measurement
The ratio can mislead in a few situations. Very muscular hips or glutes lower it, and so does a large pelvis. In people with obesity, both waist and hips grow, so the ratio can stay moderate even when the waist alone is high; that is why the calculator also checks waist size on its own. The WHO report notes that some Asian populations show higher risk at lower measurements, and several countries use lower waist cutoffs for them.
Use WHR alongside other measures. The BMI calculator shows weight for height, the BMI calculator for women adds waist-to-height ratio, and the body fat calculator estimates fat percentage from neck and waist measurements.
Informational only — not medical advice. A high ratio is a reason to talk with a healthcare professional about blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, not a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization treats a ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women as a marker of substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. Values below those cutoffs are considered lower risk, and lower is generally better.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
It measures something different. BMI reflects total weight for height, while waist-to-hip ratio reflects where fat is stored. Large studies have found abdominal measures predict heart disease at least as well as BMI, so using both gives a fuller picture.
Where exactly should I measure my waist?
WHO guidance places the tape midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, measured at the end of a normal breath out. Some US guidance measures just above the hip bone instead, which can read a little differently, so use the same spot every time.
Can I lower my waist-to-hip ratio?
Yes. Abdominal fat usually responds to overall weight loss, regular physical activity and limiting alcohol. You cannot spot-reduce the waist with targeted exercises, but total fat loss tends to come off the middle noticeably.