Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and see your WHO risk category by gender. Works in cm or inches with a clear reference chart. Free, no signup.
About the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) compares where your body stores fat: waist circumference divided by hip circumference. This calculator takes both measurements in centimetres or inches, computes the ratio, and places it in the World Health Organization's risk categories, which differ by gender because men and women store fat differently.
WHO cut-offs: for men, below 0.90 is low risk, 0.90–0.99 moderate, and 1.00 or above high; for women, below 0.80 is low, 0.80–0.84 moderate, and 0.85 or above high. WHO defines abdominal obesity as a WHR above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. An 'apple-shaped' pattern (fat at the waist) carries more cardiovascular and diabetes risk than a 'pear-shaped' pattern (fat at the hips) — which is exactly what WHR captures.
Measure the waist midway between the bottom rib and hip bone, and the hips at the widest point of the buttocks. For example, an 85 cm waist over 100 cm hips gives WHR = 0.85 — low-moderate boundary for a man, but the high-risk threshold for a woman. As with all tape-measure screens, this is a guide, not a medical diagnosis.
How to Use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
- 1Select your gender and preferred units.
- 2Enter your waist circumference at the narrowest point or navel level.
- 3Enter your hip circumference at the widest point.
- 4Read your WHR and the WHO category it falls into.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my waist-to-hip ratio?
Divide waist by hips in the same unit. An 85 cm waist with 100 cm hips gives 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85. In inches, a 34-inch waist with 40-inch hips gives 0.85 too — the ratio is unit-independent as long as both use the same unit.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Per WHO: below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women is low risk. Moderate risk runs 0.90–0.99 (men) and 0.80–0.84 (women); 1.00+ (men) and 0.85+ (women) is high risk. The calculator selects the right chart automatically from your gender.
Why are the cut-offs different for men and women?
Hormones drive different fat-storage patterns: women naturally store proportionally more fat at the hips and thighs, men at the abdomen. A 0.85 ratio is unremarkable for a man but marks abdominal obesity for a woman under WHO definitions, so gender-specific thresholds are essential.
What is the difference between WHR and waist-to-height ratio?
WHR compares waist to hips (fat distribution pattern); WHtR compares waist to height (fat amount relative to frame). They answer slightly different questions and are both better central-fat screens than BMI. If your hips are unusually narrow or wide, WHtR may be the more stable indicator.
Can I have a normal BMI but a risky waist-to-hip ratio?
Yes — this 'normal-weight central obesity' pattern is common, particularly among South Asians, and still raises cardiometabolic risk. A 70 kg, 175 cm man (BMI 22.9) with a 95 cm waist and 98 cm hips has WHR 0.97 — moderate-to-high risk despite a healthy BMI. That is exactly why waist measurements matter alongside weight.