Body composition
Waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement to get your waist-to-hip ratio, then compare it with the World Health Organization thresholds of 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. The guide below shows exactly where to put the tape, because the measurement decides how useful the number is.
Enter your values above to see your result and what it means.
Healthy waist-to-hip ratio for men and women
The WHO expert consultation report lists one threshold per sex: a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women carries a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. Below those values is the healthy range this calculator uses. The report gives no single "ideal" ratio, only the point where risk clearly rises. Some charts online split the ratio into three or more risk tiers; the WHO report this calculator follows gives one cut-off per sex, so that is what the result uses.
| Measure | Men | Women | Risk of metabolic complications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist-to-hip ratio | 0.90 or more | 0.85 or more | Substantially increased |
| Waist circumference | Above 94 cm (37 in) | Above 80 cm (31.5 in) | Increased |
| Waist circumference | Above 102 cm (40 in) | Above 88 cm (34.6 in) | Substantially increased |
How to measure your waist and hips the WHO way
Stand relaxed with your feet close together, arms at your sides and weight spread evenly, wearing little clothing. For the waist, find the midpoint between the lower edge of your lowest palpable rib and the top of your hip bone (the iliac crest), and measure there at the end of a normal breath out, without pulling your stomach in. For the hips, measure around the widest part of your buttocks with the tape parallel to the floor. Use a tape that does not stretch, snug against the skin without pressing in. Take each measurement twice: if the two readings are within 1 cm (about half an inch), use their average; if not, measure both again. Note that some US clinics measure the waist at the top of the hip bone instead, which gives a slightly different number.
How to calculate waist-to-hip ratio
Divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference, using the same unit for both. A 34-inch waist and 40-inch hips give 34 ÷ 40 = 0.85. Because the units cancel out, inches and centimetres give the same ratio. Small measuring errors matter: on 40-inch hips, half an inch either way moves the ratio by about 0.01, which can be enough to cross the threshold.
What the ratio can and cannot tell you
The WHO report found convincing evidence that a higher waist-to-hip ratio and a larger waist both go with higher disease risk, across diverse populations. Most of that evidence comes from people of European descent, and the report notes that Asian populations tend to carry more abdominal fat at the same measurements, so lower thresholds may suit them. The report also favours waist circumference alone in practice, because the hip measurement is harder to take well. The cut-offs were set for adults. Use the ratio as one screening signal alongside your weight, blood pressure and blood tests.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for women?
Below 0.85. The WHO report lists a ratio of 0.85 or more in women as a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. A woman with a 34-inch waist and 40-inch hips has a ratio of exactly 0.85, which is at the threshold.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for men?
Below 0.90. The WHO report lists a ratio of 0.90 or more in men as a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. A man with a 36-inch waist and 40-inch hips has a ratio of 0.90, right at the threshold.
How do I calculate my waist-to-hip ratio?
Measure your waist halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, measure your hips at the widest part of your buttocks, then divide the waist by the hips. Use the same unit for both. The calculator above does the division and compares the result with the WHO threshold for your sex.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI reflects overall size, while the waist-to-hip ratio reflects where fat is stored, and abdominal fat is linked with reduced insulin sensitivity and adverse blood lipids. The WHO report found the two are related but not interchangeable, and suggests getting a BMI as well where possible.
Does the calculator show a waist-to-hip ratio chart?
The table above is the WHO chart: one waist-to-hip ratio threshold for men (0.90) and one for women (0.85), plus two waist circumference levels for each sex. The result marker on the gauge is drawn against the threshold for the sex you select.