How is the waist-to-hip ratio calculated?

It is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. Because both use the same unit, the ratio is the same whether you measure in centimetres or inches.

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

The WHO links lower risk to a ratio below 0.90 in men and below 0.80 in women. Higher ratios indicate more abdominal fat and greater health risk.

Why do men and women have different thresholds?

Men and women differ in typical fat distribution, so the WHO sets sex-specific cut-offs for low, moderate and high risk.

Does the unit I choose change my result?

No. The unit cancels out in the ratio, so cm and inches give the identical number as long as you measure waist and hip in the same unit.

How should I measure my waist and hips?

Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest point, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.

Can I share my result?

Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the calculator with the same waist, hip, sex and unit.

Waist-to-hip ratio calculator

Enter your waist and hip measurements, choose your sex, and see your waist-to-hip ratio and WHO risk category on a colored gauge as you type.

Your waist-to-hip ratio is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. The WHO considers a ratio of 0.90 or more in men, or 0.85 or more in women, to indicate higher health risk.

Unit

Sex

Waist

Hip

Waist-to-hip ratio

0.80

Moderate risk

The gauge shows where your ratio sits across the low, moderate and high WHO risk bands, with a marker at your exact ratio.

How does it work?

Both measurements use the same unit, so the ratio is the same in centimetres or inches. WHO risk bands depend on sex.

Waist-to-hip ratio

\text{WHR} = \dfrac{\text{waist}}{\text{hip}}

waist: Waist circumference at the narrowest point.
hip: Hip circumference at the widest point.

A waist of 80 and hips of 100 give a ratio of 80 ÷ 100 = 0.80.

Expert tips

WHR is a screening tool for fat distribution, not a diagnosis — discuss your result with a health professional.
The cut-offs are for adults and are not adjusted for pregnancy, children, or specific ethnic groups, for whom WHO notes thresholds may differ.

Method & sources

Uses the WHO sex-specific risk cut-offs for men — low below 0.90, moderate 0.90 to 0.99, high 1.00 and over. For women — low below 0.80, moderate 0.80 to 0.84, high 0.85 and over. Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest point, with a relaxed, level tape.

Sources

Where this method comes from — use these references to understand the formula, assumptions, and limits.

Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation — World Health Organization, verified 2026-06-10

How we calculate

Uses the WHO sex-specific risk cut-offs for men — low below 0.90, moderate 0.90 to 0.99, high 1.00 and over.
For women — low below 0.80, moderate 0.80 to 0.84, high 0.85 and over.
Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest point, with a relaxed, level tape.

Limitations

WHR is a screening tool for fat distribution, not a diagnosis — discuss your result with a health professional.
The cut-offs are for adults and are not adjusted for pregnancy, children, or specific ethnic groups, for whom WHO notes thresholds may differ.

Rounding

The ratio is waist divided by hip, shown to two decimal places. Both measurements use the same unit, so the result is identical whether you enter centimetres or inches.

What the waist-to-hip ratio tells you

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) compares the size of your waist to your hips to screen for how fat is distributed around your body. A higher ratio means relatively more fat around the abdomen, which is linked to greater health risk than fat carried on the hips.

How to use it

Pick centimetres or inches — either gives the same ratio.
Choose female or male, which sets the WHO risk bands.
Enter your waist measurement at its narrowest point.
Enter your hip measurement at its widest point.
Read your ratio and risk category on the gauge below.

The WHO risk categories

Men: low risk below 0.90, moderate 0.90–0.99, high 1.00 and over.
Women: low risk below 0.80, moderate 0.80–0.84, high 0.85 and over.

A worked example

A woman with an 80 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 80 ÷ 100 = 0.80, which falls in the moderate band for women. A man with the same measurements would be in the low band.

Why the ratio has limits

WHR screens fat distribution but does not measure total body fat or overall health, and tape placement affects the result. Use it alongside other measures such as BMI and professional advice, not on its own.

FAQ

How is the waist-to-hip ratio calculated?: It is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. Because both use the same unit, the ratio is the same whether you measure in centimetres or inches.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?: The WHO links lower risk to a ratio below 0.90 in men and below 0.80 in women. Higher ratios indicate more abdominal fat and greater health risk.
Why do men and women have different thresholds?: Men and women differ in typical fat distribution, so the WHO sets sex-specific cut-offs for low, moderate and high risk.
Does the unit I choose change my result?: No. The unit cancels out in the ratio, so cm and inches give the identical number as long as you measure waist and hip in the same unit.
How should I measure my waist and hips?: Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest point, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
Can I share my result?: Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the calculator with the same waist, hip, sex and unit.

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