Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate waist-to-hip ratio and cardiovascular health risk level.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated September 2026 · Source: WHO — Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation (2008)

Sex
in
in

Waist-Hip Ratio

0.850

Health Risk

Moderate

WHO Thresholds

Your WHR0.850
High Risk Threshold≥ 0.90
Risk LevelModerate
Waist34 in
Hip40 in

Use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Results are estimates from standard formulas and the numbers you enter. Talk to a doctor or another qualified health professional about your own health before acting on them.

How It Works

Where your body stores fat says something about cardiovascular risk, and the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is one of the cleaner ways to read it. A higher ratio reflects more fat carried around the abdomen, and in the INTERHEART study of about 27,000 people in 52 countries, waist-to-hip ratio was linked to heart attack risk more strongly than BMI (Lancet, 2005). Knowing where your own number falls gives you a concrete starting point for thinking about health and lifestyle.

Computing WHR means dividing waist circumference by hip circumference, nothing more. Take a waist of 80 cm against hips of 100 cm and the ratio comes out to 0.8. That single figure carries more nuance about risk than total body weight ever could, because it speaks to fat distribution rather than mass alone.

Measurement technique decides whether the result means anything. The World Health Organization's protocol measures the waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, and the hips around the widest part of the buttocks. Breathing normally is essential, since holding your breath or pulling the stomach in skews the reading. The protocol also calls for wearing little clothing, since fabric adds bulk and throws off the figure.

Example: Assessing Cardiovascular Risk for a 45-Year-Old Female

  1. 1 Step 1: Input Measurements: A 45-year-old female measures her waist circumference at 85 cm and her hip circumference at 105 cm.
  2. 2 Step 2: Calculate WHR: The calculator divides 85 cm (waist) by 105 cm (hip) to get a WHR of approximately 0.81.
  3. 3 Step 3: Determine Risk Level: For women the calculator treats a WHR below 0.80 as low risk and 0.85 or above as high, the World Health Organization's cut-off for substantially increased risk, so 0.81 falls in the moderate band.
  4. 4 Step 4: Understand Context: This result suggests that while not critically high, this individual should consider lifestyle adjustments, such as increased physical activity and a balanced diet, to reduce her risk. Regular consultations with a healthcare provider are always recommended for personalized advice.

Source: WHO — Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation (2008) · Last updated: September 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization treats 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women as substantially increased risk. This calculator calls men up to 0.85 and women up to 0.80 low risk, the band up to the WHO cut-off moderate, and anything above it high. WHR is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease.
How do you measure waist-to-hip ratio correctly?
Measure your waist midway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, as the World Health Organization's protocol specifies, and your hips at the widest point of the buttocks. Divide waist by hip measurement. Use a flexible tape measure and stand relaxed.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
WHR is often a better predictor of health risks than BMI because it measures fat distribution. Central (abdominal) fat is more dangerous than hip/thigh fat. People with normal BMI but high WHR still face elevated heart disease risk.

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