Waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Measure your waist and your hips with a tape, in centimetres or inches, and enter both. The calculator divides them and tells you whether the ratio is below or at/above the WHO cut-off for your sex.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Pick your sex and the unit of your tape (centimetres or inches).
- Enter your waist and hip circumference.
- Read the ratio and whether it is below or at/above the WHO cut-off.
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference.
The cut-offs come from the WHO report Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio (expert consultation, Geneva, 2008): a ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women is associated with a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. The calculator compares the unrounded ratio, so a ratio of exactly 0.85 for a woman counts as at the cut-off.
Worked example
A woman with an 80 cm waist and 98 cm hips: 80 ÷ 98 = 0.82. This is below her cut-off of 0.85. A man with a 95 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 0.95, which is above his cut-off of 0.90.
Limits
- The cut-offs are population-level guides, not a diagnosis, and were developed mostly on adults; they do not apply to children.
- A good measurement matters: breathing in, pulling the tape tight or measuring at different heights can move the ratio by a few hundredths.
- This is general information, not medical advice. If you are concerned about your weight or health, speak to a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The World Health Organization (2008 expert consultation) uses 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women as the levels at which the risk of metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease is substantially increased. Lower is generally better, but a ratio is only one indicator.
Where do I measure my waist and hips?
The WHO protocol measures the waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone (iliac crest), after a normal breath out. Hips are measured at the widest part of the buttocks. Stand upright, relaxed, with the tape level and snug but not squeezing, over thin clothing or bare skin.
Do I need to use the same unit for both measurements?
Yes. The ratio has no unit, so centimetres and inches give the same result as long as both measurements use the same one.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things. BMI ignores where fat is stored; the waist-to-hip ratio shows whether weight sits mainly around the abdomen. Doctors often look at both, plus waist circumference and other tests.
Can the ratio be misleading?
Yes. It can be off in people who are very short, very athletic, pregnant or have had abdominal surgery, and it says nothing about muscle or fitness. Treat it as a screening figure, not a diagnosis.