Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator — WHR Calculator & Chart
Use this free waist to hip ratio calculator to check your body shape and health risk in seconds. Enter your waist and hip measurements to get your WHR, with WHO-aligned, sex-specific categories — no sign-up needed.
✅ Low Risk Pear shape
Moderate Risk Balanced shape
High Risk Apple shape
📅 Last Updated: July 2026🩺 WHO-Aligned Thresholds✅ Medically Reviewed🆓 Free · No Sign-Up
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Written byBMI Calculator NHS Editorial TeamHealth writers specialising in NHS BMI guidance and cardiometabolic risk screening for UK adults
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Medically ReviewedNHS-Aligned Health Review PanelReviewed against WHO waist-to-hip ratio guidance · July 2026
What Is a Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator?
A waist to hip ratio calculator divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference to produce your WHR — a number that reflects your body shape and where you tend to store fat. Unlike waist-to-height ratio, which compares your waist to your overall height, WHR compares your waist specifically to your hips, making it particularly useful for distinguishing "apple-shaped" fat distribution (more central, around the abdomen) from "pear-shaped" distribution (more around the hips and thighs).
This WHR calculator applies the World Health Organization's sex-specific thresholds, since men and women naturally tend to carry fat differently. A WHR below 0.90 for men or below 0.80 for women is generally considered low risk, while higher ratios are associated with progressively greater cardiometabolic risk.
WHR works best alongside other measures rather than alone. For a waist-based screening tool that uses height instead of hip measurement, see our waist to height ratio calculator. For your overall weight classification, use the main BMI Calculator NHS. For a broader cardiovascular risk picture, try our QRISK calculator NHS.
📋 Key Takeaways
✅WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference, same units for both
📐WHO thresholds: below 0.90 (men) or 0.80 (women) is generally low risk
🍎🍐Higher WHR reflects an "apple" shape (central fat); lower WHR reflects a "pear" shape
👫Risk thresholds differ by sex, unlike waist-to-height ratio
👨⚕️Not appropriate during pregnancy or for children — adult non-pregnant use only
How to Use the Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Choose metric (cm) or imperial (in) using the unit toggle.
Select your sex — WHO risk thresholds differ for men and women.
Measure your waist at its narrowest point and your hips at their widest point (see guidance below).
Select Calculate My Waist to Hip Ratio to see your WHR, body shape and risk category instantly, with no page reload.
How to Measure Your Waist and Hips Correctly
Accurate measurement matters for a reliable waist to hip ratio calculator result:
Waist: measure at the narrowest point of your torso, usually just above the belly button, standing relaxed after breathing out normally
Hips: measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks, keeping the tape level all the way around
Keep the tape measure snug but not tight for both measurements
Take each measurement twice to confirm consistency, and measure in light clothing or directly against skin
The Waist-to-Hip Ratio Formula
WHR = Waist circumference ÷ Hip circumference (same units for both)
Worked Example
Take a male adult with a waist of 88 cm and hips of 100 cm:
WHR = 88 ÷ 100 = 0.88 — within the low risk range for men (below 0.90)
Now take a female adult with a waist of 80 cm and hips of 95 cm:
WHR = 80 ÷ 95 = 0.84 — in the moderate risk range for women (0.80–0.84)
Notice that an identical calculation method produces different risk interpretations depending on sex, which is why this waist to hip ratio calculator always asks for sex before showing your category.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Chart — WHO Categories by Sex (2026)
The table below shows the World Health Organization's waist to hip ratio risk categories, which differ between men and women:
Risk Category
Men (WHR)
Women (WHR)
✅ Low Risk
Below 0.90
Below 0.80
Moderate Risk
0.90 – 0.99
0.80 – 0.84
High Risk
1.0 and above
0.85 and above
Source: World Health Organization waist-to-hip ratio guidance. Enter your own measurements and sex in the calculator above for a precise, personalised result.
Interpreting Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio Result
Low risk (below 0.90 men / 0.80 women): generally reflects a "pear-shaped" fat distribution, associated with lower cardiometabolic risk — maintain your current habits.
High risk (1.0+ men / 0.85+ women): reflects a more "apple-shaped" central fat distribution. Speak to your GP about a fuller cardiometabolic risk assessment, potentially including our QRISK calculator NHS and blood pressure calculator NHS.
Common Mistakes When Using a WHR Calculator
Measuring at the wrong points: waist should be at its narrowest point, hips at their widest — not the same fixed height on the body.
Forgetting sex-specific thresholds: the same WHR number means different things for men and women — always select your sex first.
Mixing units: waist and hip measurements must be entered in the same unit system.
Using WHR during pregnancy: pregnancy changes waist and hip measurements substantially, making WHR unreliable during this time.
Treating WHR as a standalone diagnosis: it's a screening tool, not a clinical diagnostic test — always confirm concerns with your GP.
Benefits and Limitations of Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Benefits
Reflects body shape and fat distribution, not just overall size
Uses WHO-recognised, sex-specific thresholds based on established research
Simple to measure with just a tape measure, no special equipment
Useful complementary measure alongside BMI and waist-to-height ratio
Limitations
Relies on accurate self-measurement, which can vary between attempts
Not reliable during pregnancy, due to natural changes in waist and hip size
Not designed for children or teenagers
Should be used alongside, not instead of, a full health assessment from a healthcare professional
Consider two women, both with a BMI of 27 in the "overweight" category. The first has a waist of 78 cm and hips of 104 cm, giving a WHR of 0.75 — a "pear-shaped" pattern with fat concentrated around the hips. The second has a waist of 88 cm and hips of 100 cm, giving a WHR of 0.88 — an "apple-shaped" pattern with more central abdominal fat.
Despite an identical BMI, research generally associates the second, more apple-shaped pattern with higher cardiometabolic risk than the first. This illustrates why WHR adds useful information beyond BMI alone, and why it's often recommended as a complementary measure rather than a replacement. For more on this distinction, see our body fat vs BMI guide.
Expert Tips
Measure your waist and hips at the same time of day for consistent tracking
Recheck your WHR every few weeks during a health or fitness programme, not daily
Use WHR alongside BMI and waist-to-height ratio for a fuller picture of your health risk
NHS Digital — Health Survey for England 2022: NHS Digital
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This waist to hip ratio calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. WHR is a population-level screening tool, not a clinical diagnostic instrument, and results do not constitute medical advice. BMI Calculator NHS is not affiliated with NHS England, NICE, or any government body. WHR should not be used during pregnancy and has known limitations in other populations. Always consult your GP or a registered healthcare professional for personalised health assessment. See our full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.
Frequently Asked Questions — Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. It is used by the World Health Organization as a screening tool for cardiometabolic risk, since it reflects whether fat is stored more around the abdomen (apple shape) or the hips and thighs (pear shape).
To calculate WHR, divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference, using the same unit for both measurements. For example, a waist of 80 cm divided by a hip measurement of 100 cm gives a WHR of 0.80.
According to World Health Organization thresholds, a healthy waist-to-hip ratio is below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women. Ratios above these figures are associated with progressively higher cardiometabolic risk, particularly once they reach 1.0 for men or 0.85 for women.
Men and women naturally tend to store body fat differently, with men more likely to accumulate fat around the abdomen and women more likely to store fat around the hips and thighs, particularly before menopause. WHR risk thresholds are set lower for women to reflect this typical difference in fat distribution.
Measure your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above the belly button, and your hips at their widest point, typically around the buttocks. Stand relaxed, breathe out normally, and keep the tape measure snug but not tight for both measurements.
WHR, BMI and waist-to-height ratio each measure different things and are generally used together rather than as alternatives. WHR specifically reflects body shape and fat distribution between the waist and hips, which BMI does not capture, while waist-to-height ratio focuses on waist size relative to height alone.
A high waist-to-hip ratio, indicating more central "apple-shaped" fat distribution, is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. It should be discussed with your GP as part of a wider health assessment, not used alone to diagnose risk.
No. Waist-to-hip ratio is not a reliable or appropriate measure during pregnancy, as normal pregnancy changes waist and hip measurements substantially. It is also not designed for children or teenagers, who require different, age-specific growth assessments — see our child growth chart calculator UK instead.
Conclusion: Understanding Your Waist to Hip Ratio
Your waist to hip ratio gives you a quick, WHO-aligned way to understand your body shape and screen for central fat-related health risk, using sex-specific thresholds that reflect how men and women typically store fat differently. The free waist to hip ratio calculator above gives you an instant WHR result, a clear risk category, and an indication of your general body shape.
Remember that WHR, like BMI and WHtR, is a screening tool rather than a diagnosis. If your result falls in the moderate or high risk category, or if you have concerns about your health, speak to your GP for a full, personalised assessment. For further guidance, explore our related tools including the waist to height ratio calculator, the main BMI Calculator NHS, and our QRISK calculator NHS.
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