What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

According to WHO, a healthy WHR is below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women. A WHR above 1.0 (men) or 0.85 (women) indicates high abdominal obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk.

How do I measure waist and hip circumference?

Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Measure your hips at the widest point across the buttocks. Measure in the morning before eating, standing straight.

Is WHR better than BMI?

WHR is often considered a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and metabolic risk than BMI because it specifically measures central (visceral) fat distribution rather than total body weight.

What is the waist-to-height ratio?

The waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) should be below 0.5 for most adults. A ratio above 0.5 indicates excess abdominal fat and increased metabolic risk, regardless of BMI.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and assess cardiovascular and abdominal obesity risk using WHO standards. Includes waist-to-height ratio.

Waist Circumference ?

Hip Circumference ?

Sex

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

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Health Risk Category —

WHO Assessment —

Recommendation —

Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾

Waist Circumference

Hip Circumference

Sex

Height (total inches) ?

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

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WHR Risk Category —

Waist-to-Height Ratio —

WtHR Category —

Cardiovascular Risk —

Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾

Waist Circumference

Hip Circumference

Sex

Age

years

Weight

lbs

Height (feet)

Height (inches)

Ratio Metrics

Waist-to-Hip Ratio —

WHR Risk Category (WHO) —

Waist-to-Height Ratio —

WtHR Risk Category —

BMI —

Obesity & Risk Classification

Abdominal Obesity (IDF) —

Cardiovascular Risk Level —

Diabetes Risk Factor —

Guidance

Age-Adjusted Risk Note —

Target Waist for Low Risk —

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your waist and hip circumferences in inches.
Select your sex (thresholds differ for men and women).
The calculator shows your WHR, WHO risk category, and a recommendation.
Use the "Compare Metrics" tab to combine WHR with BMI for a fuller picture.

Formula

WHR = Waist circumference / Hip circumference

WHO risk thresholds — Men: Low <0.90, Moderate 0.90–0.99, High ≥1.00
Women: Low <0.80, Moderate 0.80–0.84, High ≥0.85

Example

Example: A woman with a 32" waist and 40" hips: WHR = 32/40 = 0.80 — Moderate risk boundary. Waist-to-height ratio (65" tall): 32/65 = 0.49 — Healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to WHO, a healthy WHR is below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women. A WHR above 1.0 (men) or 0.85 (women) indicates high abdominal obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk.
Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Measure your hips at the widest point across the buttocks. Measure in the morning before eating, standing straight.
WHR is often considered a better predictor of cardiovascular disease and metabolic risk than BMI because it specifically measures central (visceral) fat distribution rather than total body weight.
The waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) should be below 0.5 for most adults. A ratio above 0.5 indicates excess abdominal fat and increased metabolic risk, regardless of BMI.

Related Calculators

Sources & References (5) ▾