Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Enter your measurements
Use the same unit for both circumferences. The unit cancels in the ratio.
Your WHR screening result
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Select a WHO reference group, then enter your waist and hip measurements.
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What your waist-to-hip ratio means
Quick answer: WHR compares the circumference of the waist with the circumference of the hips. It is an indirect measure of where body mass is distributed, not a direct measurement of body fat or visceral fat.
The WHO expert consultation lists these adult screening cutoffs:
| WHO reference group | Below cutoff | At or above cutoff | WHO risk wording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Under 0.90 | 0.90 or higher | Substantially increased |
| Female | Under 0.85 | 0.85 or higher | Substantially increased |
Do not read “below cutoff” as “healthy” or “low risk.” WHR is one screening measure. Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, smoking, family history, age, medications, fitness, ethnicity, and existing conditions can materially change health risk.
How to measure waist and hips consistently
- Use a flexible, non-stretch tape. Measure over bare skin where practical, or over light clothing—not thick or bulky clothing.
- Find the WHO waist site. Locate the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest (hip bone), then place the tape at their midpoint.
- Measure after a normal breath out. Stand with feet together, arms relaxed, and weight evenly distributed. Keep the tape horizontal, snug, and not compressing the skin.
- Measure the hips at their maximum circumference. Place the tape around the widest point of the buttocks, again horizontal and snug.
- Use matching units. Record both measurements to the nearest 0.1 cm or a consistent inch precision, then divide waist by hips.
Different waist sites can produce different results. If you are monitoring change, repeat the same protocol under similar conditions rather than mixing navel, narrowest-waist, and WHO midpoint measurements.
Worked WHR examples and cutoff boundaries
| Reference | Waist | Hips | Calculation | Screening comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 80 cm | 100 cm | 80 ÷ 100 = 0.800 | Below 0.85 cutoff |
| Female | 85 cm | 100 cm | 85 ÷ 100 = 0.850 | At cutoff |
| Male | 35 in | 40 in | 35 ÷ 40 = 0.875 | Below 0.90 cutoff |
| Male | 36 in | 40 in | 36 ÷ 40 = 0.900 | At cutoff |
The calculator uses the exact ratio for comparison and displays it to three decimal places. A result exactly equal to the cutoff is in the at-or-above range.
Limits and when to seek a fuller assessment
- WHR is associated with cardiometabolic outcomes at a population level, but it cannot estimate an individual’s absolute risk or identify a disease.
- The WHO cutoffs are sex-specific population screening points. Risk patterns and the most useful thresholds can vary with age, ethnicity, health status, and measurement protocol.
- This adult comparison is not designed for children. Pregnancy, recent abdominal surgery, swelling, muscle wasting, or conditions that change body shape can make the result inappropriate or misleading.
- Because waist and hip measurements can change independently, WHR can sometimes hide a change that would be visible when the two circumferences are considered separately.
- A result near a cutoff can move across it with ordinary tape-placement or breathing variation. Remeasure before interpreting a borderline value.
Health disclaimer: This calculator provides general education only and is not medical advice. A healthcare professional can interpret body measurements alongside blood pressure, laboratory results, symptoms, medical history, and other relevant factors.
Waist-to-hip ratio FAQs
How do I calculate waist-to-hip ratio?
Divide waist circumference by hip circumference, using the same unit for both. An 80 cm waist and 100 cm hip circumference give 80 ÷ 100 = 0.80.
What waist-to-hip ratio does WHO use as a screening cutoff?
The WHO expert consultation lists 0.90 or higher for males and 0.85 or higher for females as cutoffs associated with substantially increased risk. These are adult population screening cutoffs, not diagnoses.
Where should I measure my waist?
The WHO STEPS protocol uses the midpoint between the lower margin of the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest. Measure at the end of a normal breath out.
Where should I measure my hips?
Measure around the maximum circumference of the buttocks. Keep the tape horizontal and snug without compressing the body.
Does a result below the cutoff mean my health risk is low?
No. It means only that this measurement is below one screening threshold. Overall risk depends on many factors, including blood pressure, lipids, glucose, smoking, age, family history, and existing conditions.
Can I use inches instead of centimetres?
Yes. WHR is unitless, so inches and centimetres produce the same result as long as both measurements use the same unit.
Is waist-to-hip ratio the same as waist-to-height ratio?
No. WHR divides waist by hip circumference. Waist-to-height ratio divides waist by height and uses different screening ranges.
Who should not rely on this calculator?
Do not use it as a diagnosis. The adult cutoffs may not be suitable during pregnancy, for children, or when a condition changes body shape. Ask a healthcare professional which assessment applies to you.
Methodology and sources
Last reviewed: July 30, 2026. The calculation uses ordinary division without sending measurements anywhere. The screening cutoffs and measurement instructions come from WHO resources.
- World Health Organization: Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio—report of a WHO expert consultation
- World Health Organization: WHO STEPS Surveillance Manual—waist and hip measurement protocol (PDF)
- European Heart Journal: prospective-study meta-analysis of waist circumference, WHR, and cardiovascular events