About the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Your waist-to-hip ratio compares the size of your waist with the size of your hips. Two people can weigh the same and still carry fat in different places, and fat stored around the middle is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes than fat stored on the hips and thighs. This calculator divides your waist measurement by your hip measurement, checks the result against the World Health Organization limits of 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, and, if you add your height, also gives your waist-to-height ratio. Use any unit you like, as long as you use the same one for every box.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
- 1Stand relaxed and breathe out normally before you measure.
- 2Measure your waist at its narrowest point, or halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone.
- 3Measure your hips around the widest part of your buttocks.
- 4Type both numbers in, choose centimetres or inches and pick the sex that applies for the WHO limit.
- 5Add your height if you want the waist-to-height ratio too, then read the result.
Taking an accurate measurement
Small mistakes in measuring change the ratio more than most people expect. Measure in the morning before eating, with the tape parallel to the floor, and take each measurement twice. If the two numbers differ, take a third and use the middle one.
Do not pull the tape tight enough to dent the skin and do not hold your breath in. A mirror or a helper makes it easier to check that the tape is level at the back.
How to read your result
- Under 0.85 for women or under 0.90 for men: below the WHO limit for abdominal obesity.
- At or above those numbers: a higher chance of heart and blood sugar problems, worth discussing with a doctor.
- Waist-to-height under 0.5: the usual target for adults.
- Waist-to-height 0.6 or more: a high reading that deserves attention.
Limits of the ratio
The cut-offs come from large studies of mixed populations, and several research groups suggest lower limits for people of South Asian and East Asian origin. The ratio is also less reliable for children, during pregnancy and for people with very small or very large frames.
Use it as one number among others. For a fuller picture try the BMI Calculator, the Body Fat Calculator and the Ideal Weight Calculator, and ask a healthcare professional what your own numbers mean.
Features
- Waist-to-hip ratio to two decimals
- Checked against the WHO limits for men and women
- Optional waist-to-height ratio with plain bands
- Works in centimetres or inches
- Clear errors for zero or missing values
- Nothing you type leaves your device
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my waist-to-hip ratio?
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A 80 cm waist and 100 cm hips give 0.80. The units cancel out, so centimetres and inches give the same ratio as long as both measurements use the same unit.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The WHO treats a ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women as a sign of abdominal obesity with a substantially higher health risk. Below those numbers is generally considered better, although the ideal also depends on age and body type.
Where exactly should I measure my waist?
Use a soft tape directly on bare skin or over thin clothing. The WHO method is halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone. Keep the tape level all the way round and snug, but not pressing into your skin.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They answer different questions. BMI only uses height and weight, so it cannot tell muscle from fat or show where fat sits. Waist-to-hip ratio shows fat distribution. Many doctors look at both together with blood pressure and blood tests.
What is the waist-to-height ratio?
It is your waist divided by your height. The common advice is to keep your waist below half your height, which means a ratio under 0.5. It is simple, needs no sex-specific chart and works for most adults.
Can I change my waist-to-hip ratio?
A lower ratio usually follows losing fat around the middle, which comes from steady changes in eating, activity and sleep. Spot exercises on the stomach do not remove belly fat on their own. Measure the same way every month to follow progress.