Waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Waist divided by hips. A quick read on where you store fat, with the World Health Organization’s cut-offs.
Enter waist and hip measurements in the same unit.
Waist-to-hip ratio chart
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| Below WHO threshold | ≤ 0.90 | ≤ 0.85 |
| Substantially increased risk | > 0.90 | > 0.85 |
Source: WHO, Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation (2008).
Ratios hide progress when waist and hips shrink together, so log both raw numbers in the measurement tracker. For a single cut-off that works for everyone, use the waist-to-height ratio: keep your waist under half your height.
Questions people ask
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization’s 2008 expert consultation uses 0.90 or less for men and 0.85 or less for women as the threshold; above that indicates substantially increased risk of metabolic complications.
How do I measure for waist-to-hip ratio?
WHO protocol: waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone (iliac crest), hips around the widest part of the buttocks. Stand with feet together, arms relaxed, and measure at the end of a normal breath out.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
For health risk linked to belly fat, ratios that include the waist generally predict heart disease and diabetes risk better than BMI, because BMI cannot tell where fat sits or whether weight is muscle.
Can waist-to-hip ratio track fat loss?
Partly. If waist and hips shrink together, the ratio barely moves even though you are losing fat. Track the raw waist number too, in the measurement tracker.