CALCULATOR

Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator

The WHO screening measure for fat distribution, with thresholds by sex and the waist figure needed to reach them.

Waist to hip ratio

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Your ratio–

WHO risk category–

Threshold for your sex–

Waist to reach threshold–

Body shape–

Waist to hip ratio is one of several screening measures and not a diagnosis. Waist to height ratio is generally easier to interpret because it needs only one measurement plus your height.

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Waist to hip ratio and what it screens for

Waist to hip ratio divides waist circumference by hip circumference. The World Health Organization identifies substantially increased risk above 0.90 in men and 0.85 in women, based on associations with cardiometabolic outcomes in population research.

The measure captures fat distribution. A higher ratio indicates proportionally more abdominal fat, which is more strongly associated with metabolic risk than fat stored on hips and thighs.

Compared with waist to height ratio, it requires two measurements rather than one and is somewhat more sensitive to how you measure the hip. Both are screening signals rather than diagnoses, and using either alongside body fat percentage gives a fuller picture than any single number.

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy waist to hip ratio?

Below 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, using WHO thresholds.

Where do I measure the hip?

At the widest point of the buttocks, with the tape level and snug without compressing.

Is waist to hip better than BMI?

It captures fat distribution, which BMI cannot. Using both together is more informative than either alone.

What does apple or pear shape mean?

Apple describes proportionally more abdominal fat, pear more lower body fat. The distinction reflects distribution, not a body type category.

Sources

World Health Organization. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, 2008.
Yusuf S et al. Obesity and the risk of myocardial infarction in 27,000 participants from 52 countries: the INTERHEART study. The Lancet, 2005.
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Nutrient fact sheets. ods.od.nih.gov
NHS. Nutrition and health guidance. nhs.uk
US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. dietaryguidelines.gov

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General information, not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your diet, especially with a medical condition.