Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Disclaimer: The results given by this WHR calculator should be used only as a guide and should not replace medical advice. Please bear in mind that, when interpreting the results of this waist to hip ratio calculator, other factors such as muscle structure and ethnic origin should be considered. Always speak to a Doctor or health professional for advice before making any dramatic changes to your lifestyle.
What Is Waist-to-Hip Ratio?
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is used as a quick and easy way to measure whether you could be at risk for future health problems and is well supported in scientific fields as an indicator for major health risks. Experts have suggested that WHR is an accurate measure because, in addition to measurements such as your BMI calculation and BMR calculation, it matters where on your body you carry any excess weight.
How do you calculate your WHR?
To calculate your WHR you simply need to measure your waist and your hips, using a tape measure (or a length of string and a ruler), and then perform a simple calculation (or use our calculator at the top of the page). In order to get an accurate figure, it is important to make sure you take your measurements in the right place. For a full explanation, see our article on waist-to-hip ratio. There's also links to how-to lists for measuring both your waist and hips below.
- Measuring your waist: use your tape measure to measure midway between your lowest rib and the top of your hips - it should be the part just above your belly button.
- Measuring your hips: measure at the widest point around the buttocks. Again, hold the tape snugly but don't pull it in, and make sure it's level all the way around.
Once you have your waist and hip measurements, simply divide your waist figure by your hip figure. Let's look at an example:
Example
- Waist measurement: 92cm (36.22 inches)
- Hip measurement: 112cm (44 inches)
To calculate your waist-to-hip ratio: 92 / 112 = 0.82. If you need help with converting cm to/from feet for your calculation, give our cm to feet converter a try.
What does the WHR measurement mean?
| Female | Male | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 0.80 or lower | 0.95 or lower | Low health risk |
| 0.81 to 0.84 | 0.96 to 1.0 | Moderate risk |
| 0.85 or higher | 1.0 or higher | High risk |
Women with a ratio of 0.8 or below, and men at 0.95 or below are pear shaped. People with pear shaped bodies are in the lower risk category for health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Women with a ratio of 0.85 or above, and men with a ratio of 1.0 or above are considered to have apple shaped bodies. Fat tends to gather around the middle, and apple shaped bodies face a high risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and even some types of cancer.
People whose ratios fall between these apple and pear thresholds are at moderate risk of health problems, and are sometimes called avocados.
In addition to the above, the World Health Organisation has defined abdominal obesity as being a waist-hip ratio above 0.90 for males and above 0.85 for females.
If you have any questions about this calculator then please contact me.