Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Waist divided by hips, compared against the World Health Organization's reference cutoffs.
Step 1 of 5
Which units do you measure in?
How it's calculated
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) = waist ÷ hips, same units. Two reference people, run through the exact same function the calculator uses:
| Person | Waist | Hips | WHR | WHO cutoff | Risk band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan (female) | 30" | 38" | 0.79 | 0.85 | lower |
| Taylor (male) | 38" | 40" | 0.95 | 0.90 | increased |
Jordan's 0.79 works out under the female cutoff of 0.85; Taylor's 0.95 clears the male cutoff of 0.90.
Reference table by hip size
The waist measurement, in inches, that lands exactly on each sex's WHO cutoff at a few common hip sizes:
| Hips | Waist at women's cutoff (0.85) | Waist at men's cutoff (0.90) |
|---|---|---|
| 34" | 28.9" | 30.6" |
| 36" | 30.6" | 32.4" |
| 38" | 32.3" | 34.2" |
| 40" | 34.0" | 36.0" |
| 42" | 35.7" | 37.8" |
| 44" | 37.4" | 39.6" |
A ratio at or above the cutoff often pairs with an apple-shaped read on the shape wizard, since both come from the same relationship between waist and the rest of the body.
Keep going
- A waist-to-hip ratio at or above the WHO cutoff usually pairs with an apple-shaped read on the shape wizard -- worth comparing both. Apple (Round) Body Shape
- WHR is only as accurate as the waist and hip measurements behind it; the measurement guide shows exactly where to place the tape. How to Measure Bust, Waist, and Hips
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the 0.85 and 0.90 cutoffs come from?
The World Health Organization's 2008 report, "Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation." A ratio at or above these cutoffs (0.85 for women, 0.90 for men) is associated with increased risk of metabolic complications at a population level.
Is this a diagnosis?
No. WHR is a screening heuristic used across large populations, not an individual medical assessment. Genetics, muscle mass, and overall body composition all affect where someone carries weight; talk to a doctor for an actual health assessment.
How is this different from the body shape wizard?
The shape wizard classifies overall silhouette across five or six named shapes using bust/chest, waist, and hips together. This calculator isolates just the waist-to-hip relationship and compares it to WHO's specific health-screening reference, which the shape wizard doesn't do.
Does BMI matter here too?
WHR and BMI measure different things -- BMI is about overall size relative to height, WHR is about where weight is distributed. The WHO consultation this page cites specifically recommends WHR partly because two people with the same BMI can carry weight very differently. For a composition estimate rather than a distribution one, Macrograms has a body fat calculator at https://macrograms.com/body-fat-calculator.