Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see where you fall on WHO health risk categories.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
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Health Risk (WHO)
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Based on World Health Organization waist-to-hip ratio classifications. A higher ratio indicates greater abdominal fat and associated health risks.
About this calculator
Your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement that indicates how fat is distributed on your body. The World Health Organization uses WHR as a predictor of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic health risks because it captures visceral fat, the fat stored around your internal organs, which is far more dangerous than subcutaneous fat under your skin. A high WHR indicates more fat stored around the abdomen, which is strongly associated with increased health risks regardless of total body weight. Unlike BMI, WHR accounts for body shape and fat distribution, making it a more meaningful health indicator for many people. Research shows that WHR predicts heart disease risk better than BMI alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The WHO classifies abdominal obesity as a WHR above 0.90 for men and above 0.85 for women. Below these thresholds is considered low risk. However, lower is not always better. Extremely low ratios can indicate underdeveloped muscle rather than optimal fat distribution.
Where exactly should I measure my waist and hips?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point between your ribs and hip bones (usually around the navel). Measure your hips at the widest point of your buttocks. Use a flexible tape measure, keep it horizontal, and do not compress the skin. Measure on bare skin or thin clothing.
How is waist-to-hip ratio different from BMI?
BMI only considers weight relative to height and cannot distinguish muscle from fat or tell you where fat is stored. WHR specifically measures fat distribution. A person with a normal BMI can still have a high WHR (and elevated health risk) if they carry excess abdominal fat.
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