Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator
Calculate your waist-hip ratio — waist circumference divided by hip circumference — and see where it stands against the WHO risk cutoffs: 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. All calculations run 100% in your browser; no data is sent anywhere.
Calculate Your WHR
WHR risk cutoff table
The classification below uses the WHO Expert Consultation 2008 cutoffs (Geneva; published 2011): risk of metabolic complications is substantially increased at WHR 0.90 or more (men) and 0.85 or more (women).
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk | below 0.90 | 0.80 or less |
| Elevated risk | 0.90 – 0.99 (reaching the WHO cutoff) | 0.81 – 0.84 |
| Substantially elevated risk | — | 0.85 – 0.89 (reaching the WHO cutoff) |
| Very high risk | 1.00 or more | 0.90 or more |
Attribution note: the 0.90 (men) and 0.85 (women) cutoffs come from the primary WHO report. The 0.81–0.84 band for women and the "very high" label follow common conventions across health guidelines, not that WHO report.
How to measure your waist and hips correctly
Your WHR is only as good as its measurements. Follow these steps:
Waist circumference
- Use a flexible measuring tape that does not stretch; measure directly on skin (or thin clothing).
- WHO protocol: measure at the midpoint between the lower edge of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest (hip bone), tape parallel to the floor.
- Practical alternative: the narrowest point of your natural waist, usually just above the navel — as long as you always use the same spot.
- Stand relaxed, feet together, breathing normally; read the number after a normal exhale — do not hold your breath or suck in your stomach.
- The tape should fit snugly without pressing into the skin.
Hip circumference
- Measure around the widest part of your buttocks, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
- Stand tall and relaxed; make sure the tape is not twisted.
Accuracy tip: measure each twice and use the average. Measure at the same time each day (morning before eating gives the most consistent numbers).
WHR vs BMI vs other measures: what’s the difference?
| Measure | What it measures | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHR | Fat distribution: waist relative to hips | Captures risky belly fat that weight alone can miss | Cannot distinguish fat from muscle; needs two accurate measurements |
| BMI | Overall body weight relative to height | Simple and the global standard | Does not show where fat is stored |
| Waist circumference | Absolute belly size (WHO cutoffs: 102 cm men, 88 cm women) | Only one measurement | Absolute values affected by posture and frame |
| WHtR | Waist relative to height (general guideline: below 0.50) | Accounts for body frame | Less well known than BMI |
Why is WHR more predictive of cardiometabolic risk?
Fat accumulated around the belly (visceral fat, the "apple" body shape) is more closely linked to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes risk than fat on the hips and thighs (the "pear" shape). Two people with the same BMI can have very different WHRs — and different risk profiles. That is why many clinicians use WHR alongside BMI, not as a replacement. Also try our BMI calculator for an overall picture of your body weight.
Worked examples (verified)
Waist 90 cm, hips 100 cm → WHR = 90 ÷ 100 = 0.900 → right at the WHO cutoff, elevated risk category.
Waist 80 cm, hips 100 cm → WHR = 80 ÷ 100 = 0.800 → low risk category.
Waist 102 cm, hips 98 cm → WHR = 102 ÷ 98 = 1.041 → very high risk category.
90 cm = 90 ÷ 2.54 = 35.43 in. WHR from 90/100 cm is exactly the same as WHR from 35.43/39.37 in: the units cancel out.
Frequently asked questions
What is the waist-hip ratio (WHR)?
The waist-hip ratio (WHR) is a number comparing waist circumference to hip circumference. It is simple to calculate: divide waist circumference by hip circumference, both in the same units. The result is unitless. WHR describes body fat distribution: a higher value means more fat stored around the belly compared to the hips.
How do I calculate WHR?
Use the formula WHR = waist circumference divided by hip circumference. Example: a 75 cm waist and 95 cm hips gives WHR = 75 divided by 95 = 0.789. Because the numerator and denominator use the same units, you may use cm or inches as long as both are consistent.
What is a healthy WHR according to WHO?
Per the WHO expert consultation on waist circumference and waist-hip ratio (Geneva, 2008), the risk of metabolic complications increases substantially at WHR 0.90 or more for men and 0.85 or more for women. So the low-risk zone is generally below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women. These cutoffs come from the primary WHO report, not just calculator-site convention.
My WHR is exactly 0.90 (man) — what does it mean?
Exactly 0.90 means you are right at the WHO cutoff for men. This calculator places it in the elevated-risk category, because the WHO cutoff uses 0.90 or more. A value exactly on the boundary is best interpreted alongside other measurements such as waist circumference and BMI, and discussed with a healthcare professional if you are concerned.
Where exactly should I measure my waist?
The WHO protocol measures waist circumference at the midpoint between the lower edge of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest (hip bone), with the tape parallel to the floor. In everyday practice, many guidelines use the narrowest point of the natural waist, usually just above the navel. What matters most is consistency: always measure at the same spot so changes can be compared.
What is the difference between WHR and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)?
WHR compares waist to hips, while waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) compares waist circumference to height. The general WHtR guideline is to keep your waist less than half your height (WHtR below 0.50). Both measure belly fat from different angles and are often used together.
Is WHR better than BMI?
They measure different things, so neither is always better. BMI estimates overall body weight relative to height but does not show where fat is stored. WHR shows fat distribution, especially belly fat linked to cardiometabolic risk. Many clinicians use both together for a fuller picture.
Do cm or inch units affect the WHR result?
No. Because WHR is the division of two lengths, the units cancel out. As long as waist and hip circumferences use the same units, the result is identical in cm or inches. This calculator provides cm/inch toggle buttons just to make entering numbers easier.
Does WHR apply to pregnant women, children, or athletes?
Not for pregnant women, because pregnancy changes body shape so WHR cannot be relied on. In children and adolescents, body composition is still changing with growth, so adult cutoffs do not apply. In very muscular people, WHR is still informative but cannot distinguish fat from muscle.
What are apple and pear body shapes?
The apple shape describes fat accumulated around the waist, giving a high WHR, while the pear shape describes fat accumulated around the hips and thighs, giving a low WHR. Research links the apple pattern to greater health risk than the pear pattern at the same body weight.
See also
- BMI Calculator — body mass index with WHO categories and healthy weight ranges.
Source: World Health Organization. Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008. Geneva: WHO; 2011. ISBN 9789241501491.