Body & composition
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Use this free waist-to-hip ratio calculator to see how much weight you carry around your middle, a quick and well-studied marker of heart and metabolic health.
- Free to use
- Works on your phone
- Nothing saved or shared
How to use this calculator
This tool gives you the waist to hip ratio for women and the waist to hip ratio for men, so pick the right option and follow these three steps.
- Choose whether the measurements are for a woman or a man.
- Measure your waist at its narrowest and your hips at their widest, using the same tape.
- Type both numbers in and press Calculate my ratio.
What your waist-to-hip ratio means
Your waist-to-hip ratio, often shortened to WHR, shows where your body stores fat, and a body fat percentage calculator shows how much of your weight is fat in the first place. Weight carried around the middle, sometimes called apple shape, sits close to your organs and carries more risk than weight on the hips and thighs. The healthy thresholds are different for women and men:
- Women: below 0.80 is low risk, 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate, 0.85 and above is high.
- Men: below 0.90 is low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 is moderate, 1.0 and above is high.
Waist-to-hip ratio chart for men and women
This waist to hip ratio chart lays out the health-risk bands side by side, so you can see at a glance where your number falls. The calculator above gives your exact result, while the chart is handy for a quick check.
| Health risk | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Below 0.80 | Below 0.90 |
| Moderate | 0.80 to 0.84 | 0.90 to 0.99 |
| High | 0.85 and above | 1.0 and above |
Why where you carry weight matters
Two people can weigh the same yet face very different health risks, depending on where that weight sits. Fat around the middle is more active in the body and is linked to higher blood pressure, blood sugar and heart risk. The good news is that the waist often responds well to small, steady changes in food and movement, the kind of simple habits that help your waistline and heart at the same time.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
For women, a ratio below 0.80 is considered low risk, and for men below 0.90. Higher ratios mean more weight is carried around the middle, which is linked to greater heart and metabolic risk. The thresholds differ because men and women naturally store fat differently.
What is a good waist-to-hip ratio for women?
For women, a ratio below 0.80 is considered low risk, 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate, and 0.85 or above is high. The calculator and chart above use these World Health Organization bands, so once you have your number you can see at a glance which group it falls into.
What is a good waist-to-hip ratio for men?
For men, below 0.90 is low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 is moderate, and 1.0 or above is high. Men can carry a little more around the middle before the risk rises, which is why the bands sit higher than the ones for women.
How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the belly button, without pulling the tape tight. Measure your hips at the widest part of your bottom. Keep the tape level and stand relaxed, breathing normally.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things, so neither is simply better. BMI compares your weight to your height, while waist-to-hip ratio shows where you carry that weight. Because fat around the middle carries more risk, the ratio can add useful information that BMI misses.
Can I lower my waist-to-hip ratio?
Yes. Losing a little overall weight, moving more, eating more fibre and protein, and cutting back on sugary drinks tend to trim the waist over time. Spot exercises for the stomach do not target belly fat on their own.