Free Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement, and see which World Health Organization health-risk category it falls into for your sex.
Use the same unit (cm or inches) for both measurements — the ratio is unitless, so the units cancel out.
WHO men thresholds — ≤0.90 low, 0.91–0.99 moderate, ≥1.0 high. This is a general screening indicator, not a diagnosis.
Estimate only. This tool is for general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results are estimates based on the formula shown. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
Quick answer
Your waist-to-hip ratio is your waist circumference divided by your hip circumference, measured in the same unit so the units cancel out: WHR = waist ÷ hip. For example, a 80 cm waist and 100 cm hip give 80 ÷ 100 = 0.80. The World Health Organization rates risk by sex — for men, 0.90 or below is low, 0.91–0.99 is moderate, and 1.0 or above is high; for women, 0.80 or below is low, 0.81–0.84 is moderate, and 0.85 or above is high.
Formula & method
The waist-to-hip ratio divides the circumference of your waist by the circumference of your hips: WHR = waist ÷ hip. Because both measurements use the same unit (centimeters or inches), the units cancel and the result is a unitless ratio, usually rounded to two decimal places. Measure your waist at the narrowest point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, and measure your hips at the widest point of your buttocks, keeping the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin. The calculator then compares your ratio to the World Health Organization sex-specific cut-offs to assign a low, moderate, or high health-risk category. For men: 0.90 or below is low risk, 0.91 to 0.99 is moderate, and 1.0 or above is high. For women: 0.80 or below is low risk, 0.81 to 0.84 is moderate, and 0.85 or above is high. WHR is a screening indicator of central (abdominal) fat distribution and is not a diagnosis.
Examples
- Input
- sex = female, waist = 80 cm, hip = 100 cm
- Result
- WHR 0.80 — Low health risk
- Why
- 80 ÷ 100 = 0.80. For women, 0.80 or below is the low-risk range, so 0.80 sits at the top of low risk.
- Input
- sex = male, waist = 100 cm, hip = 94 cm
- Result
- WHR 1.06 — High health risk
- Why
- 100 ÷ 94 = 1.0638, which rounds to 1.06. For men, a ratio of 1.0 or above is high risk.
- Input
- sex = male, waist = 90 cm, hip = 100 cm
- Result
- WHR 0.90 — Low health risk
- Why
- 90 ÷ 100 = 0.90. For men, 0.90 or below is low risk, so 0.90 is the upper edge of the low band.
- Input
- sex = female, waist = 34 in, hip = 41 in
- Result
- WHR 0.83 — Moderate health risk
- Why
- 34 ÷ 41 = 0.8293, which rounds to 0.83. Units cancel, so inches work the same as cm. For women, 0.81–0.84 is moderate risk.
When to use this tool
- Estimating how your body-fat distribution (apple vs. pear shape) relates to general health risk.
- Complementing BMI, which doesn't show where fat is carried, with a measure of central/abdominal fat.
- Tracking changes in your waist-to-hip proportion over time as you adjust diet or exercise.
- Preparing questions for a doctor or dietitian about abdominal fat and cardiometabolic risk.
Common mistakes
- Measuring waist and hips in different units. Both must use the same unit (e.g. both in cm or both in inches) or the ratio will be wrong.
- Measuring the waist at the belly button or widest point instead of the narrowest point between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.
- Pulling the tape too tight and compressing the skin, which understates the true circumference and skews the ratio.
- Applying the men's cut-offs to women or vice versa — the WHO risk thresholds are sex-specific.
- Treating WHR as a measure of total body fat. It only describes where fat is distributed, not how much you have.
Frequently asked questions
What is a waist-to-hip ratio?
It is your waist circumference divided by your hip circumference (WHR = waist ÷ hip). Because both are measured in the same unit, the result is a unitless ratio that describes how fat is distributed between your waist and hips.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization considers 0.90 or below low risk for men and 0.80 or below low risk for women. Men at 1.0 or above and women at 0.85 or above are in the high-risk category. Lower ratios generally indicate less central fat.
How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, and your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Keep the tape level, snug, and not compressing the skin, and breathe out normally before reading.
Does it matter whether I use centimeters or inches?
No. As long as you use the same unit for both the waist and the hip, the units cancel and the ratio is identical. A waist of 34 in and hip of 41 in gives the same 0.83 as the equivalent measurements in centimeters.
How is WHR different from BMI?
BMI compares your weight to your height but says nothing about where fat sits. WHR specifically reflects abdominal (central) fat distribution, which research links to cardiovascular and metabolic risk, so the two measures are complementary.
Why are the thresholds different for men and women?
Men and women naturally store fat in different patterns, with women typically carrying more in the hips and thighs. The WHO sets sex-specific cut-offs so the risk categories reflect those differences.
Is this calculator medical advice?
No. It provides general information and a screening indicator only, not a diagnosis. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional about your individual health and risk factors.
Sources & references
- World Health Organization — Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) — Body measurements and obesity
- Mayo Clinic — Belly fat in women and men: How to measure and reduce it
External references open in a new tab. We are independent and not affiliated with these organizations.
Disclaimer
This tool is for general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results are estimates based on the formula shown. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ No sign-up required
- ✓ Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
- ✓ Formula and method shown above
Provided “as is” for general information only — results may be inaccurate, so verify before you rely on them. No warranty; use at your own risk.
Built and reviewed by HIFreeTools against the formula shown above and any authoritative references cited on this page. See our methodology and editorial standards.
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