Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/5/2026
Waist-to-hip ratio is calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference. According to the WHO, a ratio above 0.90 in men or 0.85 in women is associated with increased cardiometabolic health risk.
Explanation
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an indicator used by the World Health Organization to assess fat distribution, particularly abdominal fat, which is considered metabolically more active and more strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes risk than fat stored elsewhere on the body (hips, thighs). Unlike BMI, which only accounts for weight and height without distinguishing where fat mass is located, WHR specifically captures this distribution: two people with the same BMI can have different risk profiles depending on whether their fat mass is concentrated around the abdomen (an "apple" shape) or the hips (a "pear" shape). The WHO sets the increased-risk threshold at 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, a difference that reflects naturally different body fat distributions between sexes. As with BMI, this indicator remains a population-level estimate and doesn't replace an individualized medical assessment, which takes many other risk factors into account.
Example: a man with a 95 cm waist and a 100 cm hip measurement
Inputs
Waist: 95 cm. Hips: 100 cm. Sex: male.
Calculation
Waist-to-hip ratio = 95 ÷ 100 = 0.95, above the 0.90 threshold for men.
Result
This ratio of 0.95 is classified «Risque accru» (increased risk) under the WHO thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
How do I correctly measure my waist and hips?
Waist circumference is measured midway between the lowest palpable rib and the top of the hip bone (iliac crest), generally around or just above the navel. Hip circumference is measured at the widest point of the buttocks. In both cases, the tape measure should stay horizontal and snug without compressing the skin, at the end of a normal exhale.
Why does the risk threshold differ between men and women?
Because natural fat distribution differs between the sexes: women tend to store more fat around the hips and thighs (a "pear" shape), while men more easily accumulate abdominal fat (an "apple" shape). The WHO thresholds reflect this physiological difference rather than an arbitrary standard identical for both sexes.
Is WHR more reliable than BMI?
They aren't competing indicators but complementary ones: BMI gives a quick estimate of overall body size, while WHR specifically reports on fat distribution, a distinct cardiometabolic risk factor. Several studies suggest abdominal fat distribution is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than weight alone, but no single indicator replaces a full health assessment.