Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator

Waist, cm

Hips, cm

Height, cm

Sex

Result

Waist to hip0.85
Risk assessmentlow risk
Waist to height0.486
What that meanswithin the normal range against height
Waist on its ownwaist 85 cm — within the normal range
ThresholdsWHO thresholds: 0.9 and 1

This result is informational only and is not professional advice.

Where the fat actually sits

Works out waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios, compares them against WHO thresholds, and assesses waist circumference on its own.

BMI cannot tell where fat is stored, and that matters. Abdominal fat — the kind around the internal organs — carries far more cardiovascular and metabolic risk than fat on the hips at the same BMI.

The simplest way to see it is waist circumference and its ratio to the hips. The WHO calls a ratio from 0.90 in men and 0.85 in women elevated. Waist alone is judged separately: 94 and 102 cm in men, 80 and 88 cm in women.

What this calculator shows

Waist-to-hip ratio assessed against WHO thresholds
Waist-to-height ratio, a measure increasingly preferred to BMI
An assessment of waist circumference on its own thresholds

What to keep in mind

Measure the waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, on a relaxed exhale; measure the hips at their widest point.
WHO thresholds were derived largely on European populations; lower waist cut-offs are recommended for South and East Asian populations.

FAQs

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

The WHO puts it below 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. Above that is elevated; from 1.00 in men and 0.90 in women it counts as high.

How do I measure my waist correctly?

Standing, on a relaxed exhale, midway between the lowest rib and the hip bone — usually just above the navel. Keep the tape horizontal and don't pull it into the skin.

BMI or waist circumference?

They complement each other. BMI assesses total mass, the waist assesses distribution. Someone with a normal BMI and a large waist is still in a risk group.

What is waist-to-height ratio?

Waist divided by height. The 0.5 threshold works the same for men and women and needs no hip measurement, which is why it is often proposed as the simplest screen.

Worked example

A man carrying some middle

Input: Waist 100 cm, hips 105 cm, height 175 cm

Output: Ratio 0.952 — elevated risk

Note: Waist-to-height comes to 0.571 against a threshold of 0.5. 'Keep your waist under half your height' is easier to remember and needs only one measurement, which is why many clinicians prefer it.

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Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator

Result

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