Hubs:
Top Tools:
Health • Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) from waist and hip circumference, and compare it to WHO health risk thresholds.

Unit System:
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
0.85
Within the WHO 0.9 threshold — lower health risk
Be the first person to rate this calculator
AdvertisementIn-Article
Calculation Guide & Reference

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Mathematics

Waist-to-hip ratio calculator computes your WHR from waist and hip measurements and compares it against WHO health risk thresholds.

Standardized Mathematical Formula
WHR = Waist Circumference ÷ Hip Circumference

Waist-to-hip ratio measures body fat distribution — a simple ratio of two circumference measurements. It is used as a proxy for abdominal ("apple-shaped") versus hip/thigh ("pear-shaped") fat distribution, which research links to differing cardiovascular risk.

Variables:
Waist:Circumference at the narrowest point of the torso, typically at the navel
Hip:Circumference at the widest point of the hips/buttocks
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
  • 1Measure your waist at its narrowest point and your hips at their widest point, in the same units.
  • 2Select your gender to apply the correct WHO risk threshold (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women).
  • 3View your WHR and whether it falls above or below the increased-risk threshold.
Real-World Numerical Example
An 85cm Waist and 100cm Hip

A person measures an 85 cm waist and a 100 cm hip circumference.

•WHR = 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85.
Result: A WHR of 0.85 is below the 0.90 male threshold (lower risk), but sits right at the 0.85 female threshold — the same ratio is interpreted differently by gender.
Calculation Best Practices & Tips
Use BMR and TDEE as personalized baselines, then adjust caloric intake by 300-500 kcal/day for sustainable weight management.
Remember that standard BMI does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass; athletic individuals should also track body fat percentage and waist-to-height ratios.
Maintain adequate hydration: base intake should generally be 30-35 ml per kilogram of body weight, increasing during intensive exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The World Health Organization defines increased health risk above 0.90 for men and above 0.85 for women — ratios below these thresholds are associated with lower cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

Fat stored around the abdomen ("visceral fat") is metabolically more active and more strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes than fat stored on the hips and thighs, making WHR a useful risk indicator beyond weight alone.

Explore9 HealthCalculators

BMI body composition, calorie deficit, BMR, pregnancy due dates, heart rate zones, and macro nutrition.

More in Health

Top Similar Tools (Health)

Tags:
Looking for More Calculators?

Explore more tools in Health (2+ more calculators available)

Browse our complete directory with category filters, formulas, and verified engines.