How is waist-to-hip ratio different from waist-to-height ratio?

Both target abdominal fat distribution rather than overall weight, but WHR compares waist to hip circumference (capturing 'apple vs. pear' body shape), while waist-to-height ratio compares waist to height. WHO publishes risk bands for both; researchers don't agree on which single measure is universally superior, so many fitness references report both.

Where do I measure waist and hip?

Waist: at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, roughly navel level. Hip: at the widest point around your buttocks. Measure both snug but not compressed, standing relaxed, without pulling the tape tight.

Why do the risk thresholds differ between men and women?

Body fat distribution differs biologically by sex — women typically carry more fat in the hip/thigh area (gynoid pattern) even at a healthy weight, so the WHO set separate cutoffs (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women) rather than one universal threshold.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and compare it against the World Health Organization's sex-specific cardiometabolic risk bands.

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Formula: Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference (same units); risk bands per WHO (2008)

Worked examples

Man, waist 90 cm, hip 100 cm
Right at the WHO male threshold between low and moderate cardiometabolic risk bands.
Woman, waist 75 cm, hip 100 cm
A typical gynoid (pear-shaped) distribution, comfortably inside the WHO low-risk band for women.
Man, waist 40 in, hip 38 in (imperial)
An android (apple-shaped) distribution where waist exceeds hip — the pattern WHO's high-risk band is meant to flag.

What this calculator measures

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) compares your waist circumference to your hip circumference to describe where your body carries fat — sometimes summarized as "apple-shaped" (more weight around the waist) versus "pear-shaped" (more weight around the hips). This tool calculates that ratio and compares it against the World Health Organization's published risk bands, which differ for men and women.

The formula

WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference, using the same units for both measurements. It's a simple ratio, but where you measure matters: waist is measured at the midpoint between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone (roughly navel level), and hip is measured at the widest point around your buttocks. Measure both snug against the skin but without compressing it, standing relaxed.

Why the risk bands differ by sex

The World Health Organization's 2008 guidance sets separate WHR thresholds for men (0.90) and women (0.85) marking the boundary into higher cardiometabolic risk categories. This reflects a real biological difference: women typically carry more fat in the hip and thigh area even at a healthy weight (a gynoid pattern), so a universal cutoff would misclassify a large share of healthy women as higher risk. Men more commonly carry fat centrally around the abdomen (an android pattern), which research has linked more consistently to metabolic risk regardless of sex.

How this compares to waist-to-height ratio

Both waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio (also available in this hub) target abdominal fat distribution rather than total body weight, and both are published by health researchers as BMI alternatives that better capture that distribution. They're not measuring exactly the same thing, though — WHR captures body shape (waist relative to hip), while waist-to-height ratio captures waist size relative to overall stature. Researchers don't agree on which is universally more predictive, so many fitness and health references report both rather than picking one.

What a higher ratio means

A WHR in the "high risk" band doesn't mean anything is wrong with you individually — it's a population-level screening signal that some research associates with increased cardiometabolic risk, similar in spirit to BMI but focused on fat distribution instead of total weight. It doesn't account for muscle mass, pregnancy, ethnicity-specific norms or overall fitness level, all of which can shift where a healthy person's ratio naturally falls.

Not medical advice

This tool is a general fitness and health-screening reference based on published WHO guidance, not a diagnostic test. If you have concerns about your body composition or cardiometabolic health, talk with a qualified healthcare provider rather than relying on this ratio alone.

Frequently asked questions

How is waist-to-hip ratio different from waist-to-height ratio?: Both target abdominal fat distribution rather than overall weight, but WHR compares waist to hip circumference (capturing 'apple vs. pear' body shape), while waist-to-height ratio compares waist to height. WHO publishes risk bands for both; researchers don't agree on which single measure is universally superior, so many fitness references report both.
Where do I measure waist and hip?: Waist: at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, roughly navel level. Hip: at the widest point around your buttocks. Measure both snug but not compressed, standing relaxed, without pulling the tape tight.
Why do the risk thresholds differ between men and women?: Body fat distribution differs biologically by sex — women typically carry more fat in the hip/thigh area (gynoid pattern) even at a healthy weight, so the WHO set separate cutoffs (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women) rather than one universal threshold.
Is a high waist-to-hip ratio a diagnosis of anything?: No — it's a population-level screening indicator that some research links to cardiometabolic risk, not a diagnostic test. It doesn't account for muscle mass, pregnancy, ethnicity or overall fitness; discuss any health concerns with a healthcare provider rather than relying on this ratio alone.

These calculators give general estimates from published formulas. They are not medical advice and do not account for your individual health; talk to a qualified professional before changing your diet or training.