How it works
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measure of body shape: how much of your body mass sits around the waist compared to the hips. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement — both in the same unit — and the World Health Organization's thresholds sort the result into a low, moderate, or high risk band. The thresholds differ by sex, since men and women naturally carry weight differently around the hips.
WHR = waist ÷ hip
| Risk band | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 0.90 | < 0.80 |
| Moderate | 0.90–0.99 | 0.80–0.84 |
| High | ≥ 1.0 | ≥ 0.85 |
Because WHR is a ratio of two measurements in the same unit, the result is identical whether you measure in centimetres or inches — this calculator just uses whichever unit your locale is set to for both fields.
Worked example
A man with a 36 in waist and a 40 in hip.
- WHR = waist ÷ hip = 36 ÷ 40.
- That gives 0.90.
- For men, 0.90–0.99 is the moderate band.
A WHR of 0.90 falls in the moderate risk band (0.90–0.99) for men.
- A 30 in waist and a 38 in hip: WHR = 30 ÷ 38.
- That gives 0.79.
- For women, under 0.80 is the low band.
A WHR of 0.79 falls in the low risk band (< 0.80) for women — the same ratio would sit right at the men's low/moderate boundary, which is why the thresholds are matched to sex.
Common questions
What does waist-to-hip ratio indicate?
It's a simple proxy for how body fat is distributed — a higher ratio means more fat carried around the abdomen relative to the hips, which is associated with greater cardiovascular risk than fat carried lower on the body, independent of overall weight.
Why are the risk thresholds different for men and women?
Women naturally carry a higher proportion of fat around the hips as part of typical body composition, so the same absolute ratio represents a different relative risk level between sexes — the WHO thresholds account for that.
Where exactly should I measure waist and hip?
Waist: around the narrowest point of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Hip: around the widest point of your hips and buttocks. Measure standing, without pulling the tape tight enough to compress skin.