Is WHR better than BMI for health assessment?

WHR and BMI measure different aspects of body composition. BMI estimates overall body mass relative to height, while WHR specifically measures fat distribution — where fat is stored matters for health risk. Abdominal (central) fat is more metabolically active and carries higher cardiovascular risk than fat stored in the hips and thighs. Many researchers consider WHR a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone. Both tools together give a more complete picture.

Can WHR alone diagnose a health condition?

No. WHR is a screening tool that indicates potential health risk based on fat distribution. It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot diagnose any medical condition. A high WHR is an indicator that further evaluation by a healthcare professional may be warranted. Many factors influence metabolic health beyond body measurements.

WHR Calculator — Waist-to-Hip Ratio & Risk Category

Q: What is waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)?

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement of body fat distribution. It is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. A higher WHR indicates more fat stored around the waist (central or abdominal obesity), which is associated with higher cardiovascular and metabolic health risks.

Q: How do I measure waist circumference correctly?

Measure your waist circumference at the midpoint between the bottom of your last rib and the top of your hip bone — typically just above your belly button. Stand relaxed (do not hold your breath in), and measure at the end of a normal exhale. Use a soft tape measure held snugly but not compressing the skin.

Q: How do I measure hip circumference correctly?

Measure your hip circumference at the widest point around your buttocks and hips. Stand with your feet together and measure horizontally, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Do not pull the tape tight — it should lie flat against the skin without compressing.

Q: What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for women?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a WHR of less than 0.80 is considered low risk for women. A WHR of 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate risk, and 0.85 or above is high risk. These thresholds reflect the association between central fat distribution and cardiovascular disease risk.

Q: What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for men?

For men, the WHO classifies WHR below 0.90 as low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 as moderate risk, and 1.00 or above as high risk. Men naturally tend to store more fat around the abdomen than women, hence the higher threshold.

Q: What is the WHR formula?

The formula is simply: WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. Both measurements must be in the same unit (both in cm or both in inches). For example: waist 80 cm ÷ hip 100 cm = WHR of 0.80.

Unit

Waist Circumference (cm)

Hip Circumference (cm)

Sex (required for risk category thresholds)

Your Results

WHR

Calculation Details

Sex used: --
Waist: --
Hip: --
Formula: --

WHO Risk Thresholds — Male

WHR Range	Risk Category
Below 0.90	Low Risk
0.90 – 0.99	Moderate Risk
1.00 and above	High Risk

WHR Range	Risk Category
Below 0.80	Low Risk
0.80 – 0.84	Moderate Risk
0.85 and above	High Risk

About This Calculator

What it calculates: Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and associated health risk category using WHO thresholds.
Formula: WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference (same unit for both).
Male thresholds (WHO): Low risk: <0.90 | Moderate: 0.90–0.99 | High: ≥1.00
Female thresholds (WHO): Low risk: <0.80 | Moderate: 0.80–0.84 | High: ≥0.85
Units supported: Centimetres (cm) and inches (in).
Last updated: March 2026

What is Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)?

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a quick measurement of how your body stores fat. Fat stored around the abdomen (central or apple-shaped distribution) carries a higher metabolic and cardiovascular risk than fat stored around the hips and thighs (peripheral or pear-shaped distribution). WHR captures this distinction in a single number.

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses WHR as one of the key indicators for abdominal obesity risk assessment. It is often used alongside BMI because they measure different things — BMI measures total body mass relative to height, while WHR specifically identifies where fat is concentrated.

How to Measure Your Waist

Accurate measurements are essential for a meaningful WHR:

Stand relaxed, feet together, arms at sides.
Find the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone (iliac crest). This is typically just above your belly button.
Wrap a soft tape measure around this point, keeping it horizontal and parallel to the floor.
Measure at the end of a normal exhale — do not hold your breath in or suck in your stomach.
The tape should lie snugly against your skin without compressing it.

How to Measure Your Hips

Stand with feet together.
Measure at the widest point around your buttocks and hips.
Keep the tape horizontal and parallel to the floor.
Do not compress the skin — the tape should lie flat and snug.

WHR Formula and Examples

WHR = Waist Circumference ÷ Hip Circumference

Both measurements must be in the same unit. The calculator supports cm and inches. Units cancel out, so WHR is a dimensionless number.

Example 1 — Female, Low Risk

Waist: 72 cm | Hip: 96 cm | Sex: Female
WHR = 72 ÷ 96 = 0.75
Category: Low Risk (Female threshold: <0.80)

Example 2 — Male, High Risk

Waist: 102 cm | Hip: 98 cm | Sex: Male
WHR = 102 ÷ 98 = 1.04
Category: High Risk (Male threshold: ≥1.00)

WHO Risk Threshold Reference

Sex	Low Risk	Moderate Risk	High Risk
Male	< 0.90	0.90 – 0.99	≥ 1.00
Female	< 0.80	0.80 – 0.84	≥ 0.85

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) — Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation, 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement of body fat distribution. It is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. A higher WHR indicates more fat stored around the waist (central obesity), which is associated with higher cardiovascular and metabolic health risks.

Measure your waist at the midpoint between the bottom of your last rib and the top of your hip bone — typically just above your belly button. Stand relaxed (do not hold your breath in), and measure at the end of a normal exhale. Use a soft tape measure held snugly but not compressing the skin.

Measure your hip circumference at the widest point around your buttocks and hips. Stand with your feet together and measure horizontally, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Do not pull the tape tight — it should lie flat against the skin without compressing.

According to WHO, a WHR below 0.80 is low risk for women. A WHR of 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate risk, and 0.85 or above is high risk. These thresholds reflect the association between central fat distribution and cardiovascular disease risk in women.

For men, the WHO classifies WHR below 0.90 as low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 as moderate risk, and 1.00 or above as high risk. Men naturally tend to store more fat around the abdomen than women, hence the higher threshold.

The formula is simply: WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. Both measurements must be in the same unit (both cm or both inches). For example: waist 80 cm ÷ hip 100 cm = WHR of 0.80.

WHR and BMI measure different aspects of body composition. BMI estimates overall body mass relative to height, while WHR specifically measures fat distribution. Abdominal fat carries higher cardiovascular risk than fat stored in the hips and thighs. Many researchers consider WHR a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone. Both together give a more complete picture.

No. WHR is a screening tool that indicates potential risk based on fat distribution. It cannot diagnose any medical condition. A high WHR suggests further evaluation by a healthcare professional may be useful. Many factors beyond body measurements influence metabolic health.

Calculator Category

This tool belongs to Health Calculators. Browse similar tools for related calculations.

This calculator is for informational purposes only. WHR is a screening indicator and is not a diagnostic tool. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised health assessment and advice.

WHR Calculator — Waist-to-Hip Ratio