Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
A quick body-shape health marker from two tape measurements.
Input sheet
DIY at your own risk. Calcora's calculators and guides are general estimates and information only — not professional, engineering, legal, or safety advice. Always verify local building codes and permit requirements, and hire a licensed pro for electrical, gas, plumbing, structural, or any work you're not fully comfortable doing yourself.
Waist-to-hip ratio is a simple body-shape marker that estimates how much fat is carried around the abdomen versus the hips. Because central (abdominal) fat is more strongly linked to metabolic risk than fat stored lower on the body, WHR can flag risk that weight or BMI alone may miss.
How it works
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist ÷ hip. Health risk thresholds differ by sex (men ~0.90, women ~0.80).
The ratio is just waist circumference divided by hip circumference, so it needs only a tape measure and no scale. A lower number means relatively more of your circumference is at the hips, which is the lower-risk pattern; a higher number indicates a more apple-shaped, abdomen-heavy distribution.
Risk thresholds differ by sex because men and women store fat differently. This tool treats men at or below 0.90 and women at or below 0.80 as low risk, with moderate-risk bands up to 1.0 for men and 0.85 for women, and high risk above those.
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. Measure both in the same unit; the ratio is unitless. Low-risk cutoff is about 0.90 for men and 0.80 for women.
Worked examples
A man with a 34-inch waist and 40-inch hips. → WHR 0.85 — Low risk.
34 ÷ 40 = 0.85, which is at or below the male 0.90 low-risk cutoff.
A woman with a 32-inch waist and 38-inch hips. → WHR 0.84 — Moderate risk.
32 ÷ 38 = 0.84. That is above the female low-risk cutoff of 0.80 but at or below the 0.85 moderate-risk ceiling.
Tips & gotchas
- Measure on bare skin or over thin clothing, standing relaxed, and breathe out normally before reading the tape — don't suck in.
- Keep the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin; a tilted or tight tape skews the ratio.
- WHR complements rather than replaces other markers. Pair it with waist circumference alone and a trend over time for a fuller picture.
- Track the ratio every few weeks rather than daily — meaningful change in fat distribution is gradual.
FAQ
Where do I measure?
Waist at the narrowest point above the navel; hips at the widest point of the buttocks.
How is waist-to-hip ratio different from BMI?
BMI uses height and weight and says nothing about where fat sits. WHR ignores weight entirely and focuses on fat distribution, so two people with the same BMI can have very different ratios and risk profiles.
Does it matter whether I measure in inches or centimeters?
No. Because the ratio divides one circumference by another, the units cancel out — just make sure both measurements use the same unit.
Is a very low ratio always better?
Lower generally signals less central fat, but WHR is only a screening marker. An unusually low number from rapid waist loss or measurement error isn't automatically meaningful; look at the overall trend and context.
Related calculators
Calorie Deficit Calculator · Lean Body Mass Calculator · BMI Calculator · BMR / Calorie Calculator · Body Fat Calculator