- Measure your waist. Use a flexible tape measure at the narrowest point of your torso, typically at or just above the navel. Stand upright, relax your abdomen (do not suck in), and measure after a normal exhale. Take 2-3 measurements and average them.
- Measure your hips. Measure at the widest point of your hips and buttocks, usually about 8-9 inches below the waist. Keep the tape level and parallel to the floor.
- Enter height (optional). Adding your height enables the waist-to-height ratio, which some research shows is a better cardiovascular risk predictor than WHR alone.
- Compare to health thresholds. WHO thresholds: WHR below 0.85 (women) and 0.95 (men) is low risk. Above 0.90 (women) or 1.0 (men) is high risk.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and assess your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
0.89
Moderate Risk
WHO Risk Categories (male)
Low Risk< 0.85
Moderate Risk0.85-0.95
High Risk> 0.95
Waist-to-Height Ratio
Healthy0.486
How to Measure Waist and Hip
WHR and WHtR Health Thresholds
Waist-to-Hip Ratio = Waist / Hip Waist-to-Height Ratio = Waist / Height
WHO waist-to-hip ratio risk categories:
| Risk Level | Women (WHR) | Men (WHR) |
|---|---|---|
| Low Risk | Below 0.80 | Below 0.90 |
| Moderate Risk | 0.80-0.85 | 0.90-0.95 |
| High Risk | Above 0.85 | Above 0.95 (some say 1.0) |
Waist-to-height ratio (both sexes): below 0.50 is healthy, 0.50-0.59 is overweight risk, above 0.60 is obese risk. Simple rule: your waist should be less than half your height. Waist circumference alone: above 35 in (89 cm) for women and 40 in (102 cm) for men indicates elevated risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the World Health Organization, a healthy WHR is below 0.85 for women and below 0.95 for men. Ratios above these thresholds indicate abdominal obesity, which is associated with higher cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome risk. For example, a woman with a 32-inch waist and 38-inch hips has WHR = 32/38 = 0.84 (low risk). The same woman with a 36-inch waist would have WHR = 36/38 = 0.95 (high risk).
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