Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Enter your waist and hip measurements to get your waist-to-hip ratio and the associated risk category — calculated in your browser.
Measure at the narrowest point of your torso
Measure at the widest part of your hips/buttocks
For general health information. WHR is a screening tool, not a diagnostic measure. Consult a healthcare provider for clinical assessment.
How to use Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculator divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference and classifies the result against WHO health-risk thresholds by biological sex. Unlike BMI, WHR captures fat distribution — specifically, how much fat is stored around the abdomen versus the hips. Abdominal (visceral) fat is metabolically active and more strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome than total body fat or peripheral (hip/thigh) fat.
- Select your unit system (cm or inches) and biological sex.
- Measure your waist at the narrowest point — typically just above the belly button or at the natural waistline.
- Measure your hips at the widest point of the buttocks, keeping the tape level.
- Enter both measurements and click Calculate WHR.
- Review your ratio and risk band against the WHO thresholds.
Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.
WHO risk thresholds by sex
The World Health Organization classifies WHR risk as follows: for males — Low risk below 0.90, Moderate risk 0.90–0.99, High risk at 1.00 or above; for females — Low risk below 0.80, Moderate risk 0.80–0.84, High risk at 0.85 or above. These thresholds were established from population studies correlating WHR with cardiovascular outcomes. Because the ratio is dimensionless, it makes no difference whether you measure in centimetres or inches — the result is identical.
| Risk level | Male WHR | Female WHR | Associated risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | < 0.90 | < 0.80 | Lower cardiovascular risk |
| Moderate | 0.90–0.99 | 0.80–0.84 | Increased risk, lifestyle changes advisable |
| High | ≥ 1.00 | ≥ 0.85 | Substantially elevated cardiovascular risk |
WHR vs BMI vs waist circumference
WHR, BMI and waist circumference each capture a different dimension of health risk. BMI relates total weight to height but cannot distinguish fat from muscle. Waist circumference alone is a strong predictor of metabolic risk (>94 cm for men and >80 cm for women by IDF criteria). WHR adds a distributional dimension: two people with the same waist can have very different risk profiles based on hip size. Research suggests WHR may be a better predictor of cardiovascular events than BMI, particularly for women, though combining all three metrics gives the most complete picture.
Glossary
- WHR
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio — waist circumference divided by hip circumference.
- Visceral fat
- Fat stored within the abdominal cavity around organs; metabolically active and high-risk.
- Peripheral fat
- Fat stored in hips, thighs and buttocks; considered lower cardiovascular risk than visceral fat.
- Android obesity
- "Apple-shaped" fat distribution with more abdominal fat — associated with higher metabolic risk.
- Gynoid obesity
- "Pear-shaped" fat distribution with more hip/thigh fat — considered lower cardiovascular risk.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why use Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator?
- Based on widely-accepted clinical and scientific formulas
- No personal data stored — all calculations run locally
- Supports both metric and imperial units
- Results include actionable recommendations
Common use cases
- Calculate BMI before a doctor's appointment
- Estimate daily calorie needs for a weight loss goal
- Track ideal body weight range for a fitness plan
- Calculate pregnancy due date
- Find out your recommended water intake based on body weight
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