Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
A Quick Body-Fat Distribution Screen
Your Measurements
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Enter your measurements to see your ratio.
Understanding Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference. Unlike BMI, it specifically reflects where fat is stored -- around the abdomen ("apple" shape) versus the hips and thighs ("pear" shape) -- which research links to cardiovascular risk independent of total body weight.
A Simple Ratio
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. A ratio of 0.85 means the waist is 85% as wide as the hips.
Thresholds Differ by Sex
The WHO uses separate risk thresholds for men and women, since typical fat distribution differs between sexes.
Why Fat Location Matters
Abdominal (visceral) fat is more metabolically active and more strongly associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk than fat stored elsewhere.
One Screening Tool Among Several
WHR complements BMI and waist circumference alone -- no single measurement fully captures health risk on its own.
WHO Risk Categories
Men
- Low risk: below 0.90
- Moderate risk: 0.90 – 0.99
- High risk: 1.0 or above
Women
- Low risk: below 0.80
- Moderate risk: 0.80 – 0.85
- High risk: above 0.85
Key Takeaways
- Measure Consistently: Use the same tape position each time -- waist at the narrowest point, hips at the widest.
- Not a Diagnosis: WHR is a screening indicator, not a diagnostic test -- discuss results with a healthcare provider.
- Track Trends: Re-measuring periodically shows whether your ratio is improving over time, which matters more than any single reading.