Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and health risk category. Free, instant.
How to use this tool
- Enter waist circumference, hip circumference and sex in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your whr and the full breakdown beneath it.
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measure of abdominal obesity. Higher values indicate greater cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
⚠ This tool is for general information and education only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Formula
WHR = waist circumference (cm) ÷ hip circumference (cm)
Risk thresholds: Male: < 0.90 Low, 0.90–0.99 Moderate, ≥ 1.00 High. Female: < 0.80 Low, 0.80–0.84 Moderate, ≥ 0.85 High.
How it works
The waist-to-hip ratio divides waist circumference by hip circumference to produce a dimensionless index of central adiposity. A higher ratio indicates more abdominal fat relative to hip size, which is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The thresholds used here follow World Health Organization guidance; individual risk also depends on age, ethnicity, and other clinical factors.
Worked example
- Waist = 80 cm, Hip = 95 cm, Sex = male.
- WHR = 80 ÷ 95 = 0.8421… ≈ 0.84.
- For males, a WHR below 0.90 falls in the Low risk category.
WHR = 0.84 — Health risk: Low
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring waist at the navel rather than at the narrowest point between the ribs and hips, which inflates the waist measurement and raises the reported WHR.
- Measuring hips at the waist rather than at the widest part of the buttocks, which understates hip circumference and also inflates WHR.
- Comparing your WHR to the wrong sex threshold — male and female risk cutoffs differ, and using the wrong category reverses the risk interpretation.
Key terms
- Waist circumference
- The measurement around the narrowest part of the torso, typically at or just above the navel.
- Hip circumference
- The measurement around the widest part of the hips and buttocks.
- Central adiposity
- Excess fat stored around the abdomen, associated with higher cardiometabolic risk than fat stored elsewhere.
- WHR threshold
- A cut-off value used to classify health risk; thresholds differ between males and females because body fat distribution differs by sex.
- Cardiovascular risk
- The likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke, influenced by factors including abdominal fat distribution.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
- WHO guidelines: men should aim for WHR below 0.90, women below 0.85. Values above 1.0 (men) or 0.85 (women) indicate high abdominal obesity risk.
- How do I measure my waist and hip?
- Measure waist at the narrowest point (usually just above the belly button). Measure hips at the widest point around the buttocks.