Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Divide your waist by your hip measurement to see your waist-to-hip ratio and its health-risk band.
How it works
ratio = waist ÷ hip
Waist-to-hip ratio is a quick read on where you store fat — a high ratio means more around the belly (apple shape), which carries more health risk than fat on the hips and thighs (pear shape). Measure the waist at the navel and the hips at their widest, both snug and level. The World Health Organization flags risk above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.
Worked example
A man with a 34-inch waist and 40-inch hips: 34 ÷ 40 = 0.85 — inside the low-risk band for men, which runs below 0.90.
Frequently asked questions
Waist-to-hip or BMI — which is better?
They answer different questions. BMI screens overall weight for height; waist-to-hip captures fat distribution, which some studies tie to heart risk more closely. Using both gives a fuller picture.
Where exactly do I measure?
Waist at the belly button after a normal breath out, hips at the widest part of the buttocks. Keep the tape parallel to the floor and don’t pull it tight.
Why are the men’s and women’s cutoffs different?
Women naturally carry more fat on the hips, shifting a healthy ratio lower. The bands are set separately so each reflects typical, healthy body shape.
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General educational estimate, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor for anything about your health.