What is my waist to hip ratio?
Measure your waist and hips with a tape and type both. The waist to hip ratio calculator divides them and tells you where the ratio sits against the World Health Organization cut-offs.
- Waist-to-hip ratio
- 0.789
A 30 in waist and 38 in hips give a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.789: Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk.
Below both cut-offs
- Below both cut-offs
- At or above the women’s cut-off
- At or above both cut-offs
- WHO verdict for your sex
- Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk
- WHO cut-off for your sex
- 0.85
Waist-to-hip ratio: 0.789. A 30 in waist and 38 in hips give a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.789: Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk.
Where does my ratio fall?
This calculator gives general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor or other health care provider. Talk with a professional about your results. Terms of use
How to calculate
Divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference and compares the waist-to-hip ratio with the WHO cut-offs for increased metabolic risk (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women).
Example with the default inputs (Sex Female, Waist 30 in, Hips 38 in): A 30 in waist and 38 in hips give a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.789: Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk.
Method: Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference; increased risk at ≥ 0.85 (women) or ≥ 0.90 (men).
- Both measurements use the same tape method: the waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, the hips at the widest part of the buttocks (WHO protocol).
- The cut-offs are the WHO adult cut-offs; they are not meant for children or pregnancy.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Sex Female, Waist 34 in, Hips 40 in gives Waist-to-hip ratio 0.85, WHO cut-off for your sex 0.85, WHO verdict for your sex Substantially increased risk of metabolic complications.Source: WHO, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008 (substantially increased risk: waist-hip ratio ≥ 0.90 for men, ≥ 0.85 for women), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491
- Sex Male, Waist 33.86 in, Hips 39.37 in gives Waist-to-hip ratio 0.86, WHO cut-off for your sex 0.9, WHO verdict for your sex Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk.Source: WHO, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008 (substantially increased risk: waist-hip ratio ≥ 0.90 for men, ≥ 0.85 for women), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491
- Sex Male, Waist 36 in, Hips 40 in gives Waist-to-hip ratio 0.9, WHO verdict for your sex Substantially increased risk of metabolic complications.Source: WHO, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008 (substantially increased risk: waist-hip ratio ≥ 0.90 for men, ≥ 0.85 for women), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491
- Sex Female, Waist 30 in, Hips 38 in gives Waist-to-hip ratio 0.789474, WHO verdict for your sex Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk.Source: WHO, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008 (substantially increased risk: waist-hip ratio ≥ 0.90 for men, ≥ 0.85 for women), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491
How it works
- Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference.
- WHO cut-off: 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men. A ratio at or above the cut-off for your sex means a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications; below it, the page says it is below the WHO cut-off.
The chart shows three bands that do not depend on sex: below 0.85 (below both cut-offs), 0.85 up to 0.90 (at or above the women’s cut-off only), and 0.90 or more (at or above both).
Rules. Each measurement is from 10 cm to 300 cm (about 3.9 in to 118.1 in). A waist more than twice the hips gives no answer, because the two measurements are probably swapped.
Exact arithmetic. Each measurement is read as the exact decimal you typed, in the unit you typed it in, so 34 in ÷ 40 in is exactly 0.85 and meets the women’s cut-off. When you type in a unit, the page stores the size in metres and reads it back as the decimal with the fewest significant digits, in inches or centimetres, that gives the same stored number (on a tie, inches win). The ratio is compared with the cut-off exactly.
Output format. Decimals and significant figures below are the most shown; trailing zeros are dropped (23.0 shows as 23, money keeps its cents). The ratio shows 3 decimals and the cut-off 2 decimals, each rounded half up from its decimal value. The verdict is one of two sentences: “Substantially increased risk of metabolic complications” or “Below the WHO cut-off for increased risk”.
Assumptions
- Adults only; the cut-offs are not meant for children or during pregnancy.
- The cut-offs are the WHO values for all adults. Some countries use other values for some ethnic groups; ask a health professional.
- This is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.
Worked examples by hand
A woman, waist 34 in, hips 40 in. 34 ÷ 40 = 0.850, which is at the 0.85 cut-off: substantially increased risk.
A man, waist 86 cm, hips 100 cm. 86 ÷ 100 = 0.860, below 0.90: below the cut-off.
A man, waist 36 in, hips 40 in. 36 ÷ 40 = 0.900, exactly the cut-off: substantially increased risk.
The default, a woman with a 30 in waist and 38 in hips. 30 ÷ 38 = 0.789: below 0.85.
Other questions people ask
How do I calculate my waist to hip ratio?
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement, both in the same unit. A 34 in waist and 40 in hips give 34 ÷ 40 = 0.85.
What is a healthy waist to hip ratio?
The WHO expert consultation of 2008 marks a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications at a ratio of 0.90 or more for men and 0.85 or more for women. Below those values is below the cut-off.
How do I measure my waist and hips?
Stand relaxed and breathe out gently. Measure the waist midway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, and the hips around the widest part of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
Is the waist to hip ratio better than BMI?
It measures something different. BMI looks at weight for height; the waist to hip ratio looks at where fat is carried. Fat around the waist is linked with heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which is why the WHO looked at waist measures alongside BMI.
Why are the cut-offs different for men and women?
Men and women carry fat differently: women tend to have wider hips for the same waist. So the same ratio means a different risk, and the WHO gives 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men.
Can I use inches or centimetres?
Either, as long as you can read both from the same tape; the page converts as you type. The ratio has no unit, so 86 cm ÷ 100 cm and 33.9 in ÷ 39.4 in give the same answer.