Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see your health risk category.
Comment ça marche
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference — a simple ratio that describes body fat distribution, then compares the result to World Health Organization (WHO) risk thresholds, which differ between men and women.
This ratio matters because where body fat is stored appears to affect health risk more than total body fat alone. Fat carried around the waist (an "apple" shape) surrounds internal organs and is more strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk, while fat carried around the hips and thighs (a "pear" shape) is considered comparatively lower-risk.
WHO risk thresholds are commonly cited as: for men, a WHR above 0.90 indicates increased risk, and above 1.0 indicates substantially increased risk; for women, the thresholds are lower, with above 0.85 indicating increased risk. These thresholds differ by sex because men and women naturally tend to carry fat somewhat differently on average.
WHR is often discussed alongside BMI (Body Mass Index) as a complementary rather than competing measurement — two people can have identical BMI but very different WHR, and research suggests WHR may be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk specifically, since BMI doesn't account for where on the body weight is carried.
To measure waist circumference accurately, measure around the narrowest point of the torso (typically just above the belly button), and for hip circumference, measure around the widest point of the hips and buttocks — using a soft tape measure snugly but not compressed against the skin gives the most consistent results.
As with any single-number health metric, WHR is a screening indicator rather than a diagnosis — it's most useful as one data point alongside other measurements (BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose) and a broader conversation with a healthcare provider, rather than a standalone verdict on health status.
Body shape terminology like "apple" and "pear" is a simplified way of describing the same underlying WHR concept — an apple shape (higher WHR, more waist-concentrated fat) and a pear shape (lower WHR, more hip-and-thigh-concentrated fat) are informal shorthand for exactly the ratio this calculator computes precisely.
Why does WHR matter?
A higher ratio (more weight around the waist) is associated with greater cardiovascular risk than weight carried around the hips.
What WHR is considered healthy for men?
Below 0.90 is generally considered lower risk under commonly cited WHO thresholds; above 0.90 indicates increased risk, and above 1.0 substantially increased risk.
What WHR is considered healthy for women?
Below 0.85 is generally considered lower risk under commonly cited WHO thresholds, a lower cutoff than for men due to typical differences in fat distribution.
How do I measure my waist circumference correctly?
Measure around the narrowest point of your torso, typically just above the belly button, using a soft tape measure snug against the skin without compressing it.
How do I measure hip circumference correctly?
Measure around the widest point of your hips and buttocks, keeping the tape measure level and snug but not tight.
Is WHR better than BMI for assessing health risk?
Some research suggests WHR may better predict cardiovascular risk specifically, since it accounts for fat distribution, which BMI doesn't — but the two measurements are generally considered complementary rather than one replacing the other.
Why is fat around the waist considered riskier than fat around the hips?
Waist fat is more likely to include visceral fat surrounding internal organs, which is more strongly linked to metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk than the subcutaneous fat typically carried around the hips.
Should I rely on WHR alone to judge my health?
No — treat it as one screening indicator among several (alongside BMI, blood pressure, and other measures) and discuss results with a healthcare provider rather than drawing conclusions from WHR in isolation.
What do 'apple shape' and 'pear shape' mean?
Informal terms for the same WHR concept — an apple shape describes a higher WHR (more waist-concentrated fat), while a pear shape describes a lower WHR (more hip-and-thigh-concentrated fat).
Can WHR change over time with lifestyle changes?
Yes — body fat distribution can shift with changes in diet, exercise, and overall body composition, so WHR isn't a fixed, unchangeable trait.