Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator: WHR, Waist-to-Height and Body Shape
Free waist-to-hip ratio calculator with WHO risk levels, plus waist-to-height ratio and waist size, apple or pear shape, gauges, and a what-if slider showing how a smaller waist changes your numbers.
Measure bare skin, standing relaxed, breathing out. Waist: halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone (about the navel). Hips: the widest part of the buttocks.
Your measurements on the scale
What if my waist changed?
What is the waist-to-hip ratio?
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. It shows where you carry body fat: fat around the middle (an “apple” shape) raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes more than fat on the hips and thighs (a “pear” shape). It can pick up risk that BMI misses.
Example: a woman with a 78 cm waist and 100 cm hips has WHR = 78 ÷ 100 = 0.78, in the low-risk range.
WHR risk levels (World Health Organization)
Waist-to-height ratio: “keep your waist under half your height”
The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is your waist divided by your height. A simple rule works for adults of any size, sex and (largely) ethnicity: keep it below 0.5. Studies suggest it predicts heart and metabolic risk at least as well as BMI. At 0.5–0.59 risk is increased, and from 0.6 it is high.
Questions
- Which is better: WHR, WHtR or waist size alone?
- All three measure belly fat. Waist size and WHtR are the easiest and are often the best predictors; WHR adds the hip, which helps for shape. Use whichever you can track consistently.
- How can I lower my waist measurement?
- You cannot spot-reduce fat, but eating a little less, moving more, building muscle, sleeping well and limiting alcohol all reduce belly fat over time.
- Do the ranges apply to everyone?
- They are for adults. Some groups (for example people of South Asian descent) have higher risk at lower measurements. Children, pregnant women and very muscular people need other guidance.
- Is my data private?
- Yes. Everything stays in this browser.
General information, not medical advice. Related: Body Fat Calculator · BMI Calculator · Ideal Weight Calculator