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Your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple but powerful health indicator: it captures where you carry fat, not just how much. Fat stored around the waist ("apple" shape) carries more health risk than fat around the hips ("pear" shape), and the World Health Organization uses WHR to flag that risk. It often reveals concerns that weight or BMI miss.
Enter your waist and hip measurements, and your WHR and WHO risk level are calculated instantly.
How is it calculated?
The calculation
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. Measure the waist at its narrowest (around the navel) and the hips at their widest, in the same unit. A waist of 92 cm and hips of 100 cm give 92 ÷ 100 = 0.92.
WHO risk thresholds
| Low | Moderate | High | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | below 0.85 | 0.85 – 0.90 | 0.90 and above |
| Women | below 0.80 | 0.80 – 0.85 | 0.85 and above |
The thresholds are lower for women because of natural differences in fat distribution.
Why waist fat matters more
Fat around the abdomen (visceral fat) surrounds the organs and is linked to higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure — more so than fat on the hips and thighs. That's why an "apple" shape with a high WHR is a warning sign even at a normal weight, and why WHR complements BMI rather than duplicating it.
Reading it alongside other measures
WHR shows fat distribution; BMI shows overall weight status; body fat percentage shows composition. Together they give a fuller picture than any one alone — a body fat calculator and a BMI calculator complete it. WHR is a screening indicator, not a diagnosis; discuss concerns with your doctor.
Worked example
A man with a 92 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a WHR of 92 ÷ 100 = 0.92. Since the male high-risk threshold is 0.90, this falls in the high-risk band — a signal to pay attention to abdominal fat even if his weight seems fine. If he reduced his waist to 85 cm (hips unchanged), his WHR would drop to 0.85, moving him to the moderate band. That the same person can shift risk category by changing waist alone shows why where you carry fat matters, not just the number on the scale.
FAQ
How is waist-to-hip ratio calculated?+
Divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference: a 92 cm waist and 100 cm hips give 0.92. Measure the waist at its narrowest and hips at their widest, in the same unit.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?+
For men, below 0.90 (ideally under 0.85); for women, below 0.85 (ideally under 0.80). Higher ratios indicate more abdominal fat and greater health risk.
Why does waist fat carry more risk than hip fat?+
Fat around the abdomen (visceral fat) surrounds the organs and is linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure — more than fat on the hips and thighs.
How does WHR differ from BMI?+
BMI measures overall weight relative to height; WHR captures where fat is distributed. A normal-weight person with a high WHR still carries elevated risk, which BMI alone would miss.
How should I measure my waist and hips?+
Measure the waist at its narrowest point (around the navel) and the hips at their widest, with the tape snug but not compressing. Measure in the same unit and stand relaxed.
Why are the thresholds lower for women?+
Women naturally store more fat around the hips and thighs, so the risk thresholds are set lower to reflect healthy female fat distribution.