Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Where you carry fat matters as much as how much you carry. Waist-to-hip ratio captures abdominal fat, which is the deposit most strongly linked to cardiovascular and metabolic risk — and it needs nothing but a tape measure.
Inputs
Result
0.86
Low risk range
How the waist to hip ratio calculator works
Ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference, in the same units.
WHO risk thresholds: for men, above 0.90 is elevated; for women, above 0.85. Abdominal obesity is also flagged by waist alone above 102 cm for men or 88 cm for women.
Measure the waist at the narrowest point or at the navel, and the hips at the widest point of the buttocks, standing relaxed after a normal breath out.
Worked example: waist 96 cm, hips 104 cm
- Ratio = 96 ÷ 104 = 0.92.
- For a man, that is just above the 0.90 threshold — elevated risk.
- Reducing the waist to 92 cm gives 0.88, back within range.
- Waist alone at 96 cm is below the 102 cm abdominal obesity marker, so the ratio is the more sensitive signal here.
- The same measurements in a woman would indicate clearly elevated risk at 0.92 against a 0.85 threshold.
Common mistakes to avoid
Pulling the tape tight
Compressing the skin shrinks the waist reading by 2–3 cm and flatters the ratio. Snug, level, no indentation.
Measuring at inconsistent landmarks
Waist at the navel one month and at the narrowest point the next makes the trend meaningless. Pick one and record it.
Assuming a good ratio means low risk
It is one indicator. Blood pressure, lipids, blood glucose and family history all contribute, and no tape measure replaces them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women by WHO criteria. Lower ratios generally indicate less abdominal fat.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
For predicting cardiovascular risk, abdominal measures usually perform better. Using both gives a fuller picture than either alone.
Can I target belly fat with exercise?
No exercise burns fat from a specific region. Overall deficit reduces abdominal fat, and it often responds relatively early in the process.
Does the ratio change with age?
It tends to rise, as fat redistributes toward the abdomen — particularly after menopause. Resistance training and activity slow the shift.
What is waist-to-height ratio?
An even simpler alternative: keep your waist under half your height. It performs comparably and needs no hip measurement.
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