Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see the associated health risk band.
Results update as you type.
About this calculator
A waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculator divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference to gauge how body fat is distributed. Because the ratio is a comparison of two measurements, the units cancel out — centimetres or inches give the same result. The World Health Organization links higher ratios to greater cardiovascular risk.
The calculation is simply waist ÷ hip. A man with an 85 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 0.85, which sits in the low-risk band for men (the WHO threshold is 0.90). A woman with the same measurements would be at her threshold of 0.85. The tool also labels body shape: a higher ratio means an apple (central) shape, a lower one a pear shape.
Use WHR to see where you carry fat, not just how much — central (abdominal) fat is more strongly tied to heart and metabolic risk than fat on the hips and thighs. Measure the waist at its narrowest point and the hips at their widest, keeping the tape level. It complements BMI, which only reflects overall weight for height, and is general information rather than a medical diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The WHO considers a raised ratio to be above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, which is linked to higher cardiometabolic risk. Lower ratios indicate a more even (pear) fat distribution.
Why does units not matter here?
WHR is one measurement divided by another, so the units cancel out. As long as you measure waist and hip in the same units, centimetres and inches give an identical ratio.
Is WHR better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI reflects overall weight for height, while WHR captures where fat sits — central (apple-shaped) fat carries more risk than fat on the hips.
How do I measure my waist and hips correctly?
Measure the waist at its narrowest point, usually around the navel, and the hips at their widest point. Keep the tape level and snug without compressing the skin, and measure while relaxed rather than holding your breath.
What do apple and pear shapes mean?
An apple shape carries fat around the abdomen, giving a higher ratio and higher risk; a pear shape carries it on the hips and thighs. The tool labels your shape from the calculated ratio.
Can I lower my waist-to-hip ratio?
Losing abdominal fat through a calorie deficit and regular exercise shrinks the waist measurement and so the ratio. Spot reduction does not work, but overall fat loss tends to trim visceral fat for many people.
API — use this calculator from code
Call this calculator as a free JSON endpoint — no key required. Send the field values below as query parameters or JSON. Read the full API docs →
Endpoint
GET https://calculator.free/api/v1/waist-to-hip-ratio/curl
curl "https://calculator.free/api/v1/waist-to-hip-ratio/?sex=male&waist=85&hip=100"JavaScript fetch()
const r = await fetch(
"https://calculator.free/api/v1/waist-to-hip-ratio/?" + new URLSearchParams({
"sex": "male",
"waist": "85",
"hip": "100"
}));
const data = await r.json();
console.log(data.results);Results are estimates for general guidance only, not financial, medical or tax advice.