Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Waist-to-hip ratio shows how your body fat is distributed. Carrying more around the waist than the hips is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Measure both in the same unit and enter them here.
Type a number and the answer appears straight away.
Waist-to-hip ratio0.85Low health risk
- Low risk for men
- Below 0.90
- Moderate risk
- 0.90 to 0.99
- High risk
- 1.00 or above
- World Health Organization cut-off
- 0.90 or above
The ratio shows where fat is carried. Fat around the waist is linked to higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. General information, not medical advice.
The math behind it: Waist-to-Hip Ratio
waist-to-hip ratio = waist / hips
A 34 inch waist and 40 inch hips give 34 / 40 = 0.85. The World Health Organization describes a ratio of 0.90 or more for men, and 0.85 or more for women, as abdominal obesity.
This is general information, not medical advice. The ratio is one screening measure among several, alongside BMI and waist size.
Common questions
How do I measure my waist-to-hip ratio?
Measure your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above the belly button, and your hips at their widest. Divide the waist by the hips. Use the same unit for both.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women is generally considered low risk. For women, 0.85 or above is high risk; for men, 1.0 or above.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI compares weight with height and cannot tell where fat sits. Waist-to-hip ratio shows whether fat is carried around the middle, which matters for heart health. Using both gives a fuller picture.
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