Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) compares the circumference of your waist to that of your hips. It is a simple indicator of how body fat is distributed — a higher ratio means more fat is carried around the abdomen, which is linked to greater cardiovascular and metabolic risk than fat carried on the hips and thighs. It is widely used as a quick screen alongside BMI.
How it works
The calculator divides your waist by your hip, both entered in the same unit:
WHR = waist ÷ hip
The units cancel, so the result is a unitless number that is identical in centimetres or inches. The tool then matches your ratio to the World Health Organisation risk band for the sex you select.
| WHR (men) | WHR (women) | Risk band |
|---|---|---|
| Below 0.90 | Below 0.80 | Low |
| 0.90 – 0.99 | 0.80 – 0.84 | Moderate |
| 1.00 and over | 0.85 and over | High |
How to measure accurately
Getting WHR right depends on consistent measurement technique more than anything else:
- Waist: measure at the narrowest visible point of the torso, which is usually just above the navel and below the lowest rib. Breathe out normally before measuring — do not hold your breath in or suck in.
- Hips: measure at the widest point around the buttocks. Stand with feet together and keep the tape horizontal and parallel to the floor.
- The tape should be snug but not compressing the skin. Measuring over thin clothing is acceptable, but bare skin is more consistent. Take each measurement twice and average them if they differ.
Why the thresholds differ by sex
Women naturally carry more adipose tissue on the hips and thighs as a result of hormonal differences. This means a woman with a WHR of 0.82 and a man with the same ratio have meaningfully different body fat distributions relative to their biology. The WHO thresholds account for this — what is low risk for a man is moderate risk for a woman at the same numeric ratio.
WHR versus BMI — what each actually tells you
BMI (body mass index) captures overall weight relative to height but cannot distinguish between fat and muscle, or between abdominal and peripheral fat. WHR specifically captures where fat sits. Abdominal (visceral) fat, reflected in a higher WHR, is metabolically active in ways that fat on the hips and thighs is not — it is more closely associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For this reason clinicians often look at both: BMI to flag overall excess weight, WHR to flag the distribution risk.
Example
A man with an 85 cm waist and 100 cm hips has WHR = 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85. That falls below the 0.90 male low-risk threshold. The same 0.85 ratio for a woman would instead land in the high-risk band (0.85 or above), which is why selecting the correct sex matters.
WHR is a screening guide, not a diagnosis. A borderline result is a prompt to discuss with a healthcare professional, not a definitive assessment. Everything runs locally in your browser, so your measurements stay private.