Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
What waist to hip ratio means
Waist to hip ratio is your waist circumference divided by your hip circumference. It describes where your body stores more of its width — around the middle or around the hips — and is used in health research as a simple measure of how weight is distributed.
A lower ratio means the waist is narrow compared with the hips; a ratio near or above 1.0 means the waist is as wide as or wider than the hips.
WHO reference values
A WHO expert consultation lists these values as associated with a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications in adults:
| Group | Waist-to-hip ratio | Waist circumference |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 0.85 or higher | 88 cm (34.6 in) or more |
| Men | 0.90 or higher | 102 cm (40.2 in) or more |
These are population screening values. They don’t account for age, ethnicity, height or muscle mass, and they are not a diagnosis. If you have questions about your health, talk to a healthcare professional.
How to measure for waist to hip ratio
- Stand straight with your feet close together and your weight spread evenly.
- Waist: find the midpoint between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone. Wrap the tape around at that level and read it at the end of a normal breath out.
- Hips: measure around the widest part of your buttocks, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight, and use the same unit for both measurements.
For body shape, the waist is usually taken at the narrowest point instead — see our measuring guide for the difference.
Waist to hip ratio and body shape
Body shape categories also compare the waist with the hips, but they add the bust or shoulders and are used for clothing fit, not health. A waist that is close to or wider than the hips is part of the apple (or, in men, oval) pattern, while a narrow waist with wider hips is typical of pear and hourglass shapes.
To find your shape, use the female or male body shape calculator.
Waist to hip ratio FAQ
How do you calculate waist to hip ratio?
Divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference, using the same unit for both. For example, a 30 in waist and 40 in hips give a ratio of 30 ÷ 40 = 0.75.
What is a healthy waist to hip ratio?
The World Health Organization uses 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men as reference values: ratios at or above these are associated with a higher risk of metabolic complications at the population level. A ratio below them is not a guarantee of good health, and one above them is not a diagnosis.
Does it matter if I use inches or centimeters?
No. The ratio has no unit, so you get the same number either way as long as both measurements use the same unit.
Is waist to hip ratio the same as body shape?
They are related but different. Waist to hip ratio compares two measurements against health reference values. Body shape also uses the bust (or shoulders) and describes overall proportions for clothing fit, without any health meaning.
Where should I measure my waist for this calculator?
WHO measures the waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone (iliac crest), at the end of a normal breath out. This can be slightly lower than the natural waist used for body shape.
Related tools
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References
- World Health Organization (2011). Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008.