Two people can have the same weight and the same BMI and carry their fat in very different places. Fat stored around the abdomen, around the organs, is more strongly linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease than fat stored around the hips and thighs. The waist-to-hip ratio is a simple way to see that pattern. You measure your waist and hips with a tape, divide one by the other and compare the result with thresholds set by the World Health Organization. This calculator also checks your waist circumference on its own against the WHO risk levels.
The ratio is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It helps you see whether your body shape might benefit from a conversation with a health professional.
How to use the waist-to-hip ratio calculator
- Select your sex. The thresholds are lower for women.
- Measure your waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out normally.
- Measure your hips around the widest part of the buttocks, with feet together.
- Enter both measurements in any units; the calculator converts them.
- Read the ratio, the WHO check and the waist-risk category. The last two lines show the waist size at the threshold for your hip measurement.
Waist-to-hip ratio formula
Waist at threshold = threshold ratio × hip circumference
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal obesity (WHR) | 0.90 or more | 0.85 or more |
| Increased risk (waist) | 94 cm (37 in) or more | 80 cm (31.5 in) or more |
| Substantially increased risk (waist) | 102 cm (40 in) or more | 88 cm (35 in) or more |
The thresholds are from the World Health Organization, Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008 (published 2011). The waist-circumference levels originate from the WHO 2000 obesity report (Technical Report Series 894) and Lean, Han and Morrison (BMJ 1995;311:158–161).
Worked example
A woman with an 80 cm waist and 90 cm hips.
- Ratio = 80 ÷ 90 = 0.89, which is at or above the 0.85 threshold.
- Waist circumference of 80 cm is in the increased risk band (80–87.9 cm).
- Waist at the 0.85 threshold for 90 cm hips = 0.85 × 90 = 76.5 cm, which is 3.5 cm below her current waist.
A man with a 90 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 0.90, exactly at the men’s threshold.
Waist sizes at the WHO thresholds
| Hip circumference | Waist at WHR 0.90 (men’s threshold) | Waist at WHR 0.85 (women’s threshold) |
|---|---|---|
| 90 cm (35.4 in) | 81.0 cm (31.9 in) | 76.5 cm (30.1 in) |
| 95 cm (37.4 in) | 85.5 cm (33.7 in) | 80.8 cm (31.8 in) |
| 100 cm (39.4 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) | 85.0 cm (33.5 in) |
| 105 cm (41.3 in) | 94.5 cm (37.2 in) | 89.2 cm (35.1 in) |
| 110 cm (43.3 in) | 99.0 cm (39.0 in) | 93.5 cm (36.8 in) |
| 115 cm (45.3 in) | 103.5 cm (40.7 in) | 97.8 cm (38.5 in) |
Apple and pear shapes
People are often described as “apple” shaped when fat collects around the middle and “pear” shaped when it collects on the hips and thighs. A high waist-to-hip ratio corresponds to the apple pattern and a low one to the pear pattern. The INTERHEART study of more than 27,000 people in 52 countries found that the waist-to-hip ratio was more strongly associated with the risk of a first heart attack than BMI was (Yusuf et al., Lancet 2005;366:1640–1649). That is why public-health agencies recommend measuring the waist as well as weight.
What you can do with the result
- Track the trend. Re-measure monthly in the same way and watch whether the waist is shrinking.
- Combine with other measures. The Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator and BMI Calculator give complementary views, and the Body Fat Calculator estimates composition.
- Focus on habits. Regular activity, enough sleep, less sugary drinks and alcohol, and a calorie intake that suits you all help reduce abdominal fat; see the Calorie Calculator.
- See a professional if you are over the thresholds. A doctor can check blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids.
The ratio is less reliable for very short people, children, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. For a related shape analysis try the absi-calculator and Body Roundness Index Calculator.
This page is for information only and is not medical or dietary advice. Speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before starting a weight-loss plan, especially if you have a medical condition, take medicines, are pregnant or have a history of disordered eating.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation. Geneva, 2011.
- World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. WHO Technical Report Series 894, 2000.
- Lean MEJ, Han TS, Morrison CE. Waist circumference as a measure for indicating need for weight management. BMJ 1995;311:158–161.
- Yusuf S, et al. Obesity and the risk of myocardial infarction in 27,000 participants from 52 countries: a case-control study. Lancet 2005;366:1640–1649.
Frequently asked questions
What is waist-to-hip ratio?
It is your waist circumference divided by your hip circumference, both in the same unit. It describes where your body stores fat. A higher ratio means more of it is carried around the middle, which is linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease than fat carried on the hips and thighs.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization defines abdominal obesity as a ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women. Lower is generally better, but the cut-offs are population screening thresholds, not a diagnosis.
How do I measure my waist and hips?
Stand relaxed. Measure the waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out normally. Measure the hips around the widest part of the buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug, and use bare skin or thin clothing.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
It adds information BMI lacks, because it reflects fat distribution. Studies, including the INTERHEART study (Yusuf et al., Lancet 2005;366:1640–1649), found it a stronger predictor of heart attack than BMI. Many experts recommend using the waist measurement or waist-to-height ratio alongside BMI.
Does the ratio apply to everyone?
The cut-offs were developed mainly in adult populations and may not suit children, pregnant women, or some ethnic groups, for whom lower waist thresholds are sometimes used. Speak to a clinician about your own risk.