Skip to content
HealthCalc

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHR)

Calculate your Waist-to-Hip Ratio and assess health risk, body shape, and proportions. Includes WHO classification, golden ratio comparison, and interactive shape visualizer.

Unit System
Sex
lbs
Height
ft
in
in
in

How to Measure

RibWaistHip

Waist: Narrowest point, typically just above the belly button.

Hip: Widest point around the fullest part of the buttocks.

Use a flexible tape, don't suck in, keep snug.

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

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measure of body fat distribution calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference: WHR = Waist ÷ Hip. Unlike BMI — which measures overall weight — WHR specifically captures where you carry your body fat. This matters because abdominal fat (apple shape) carries significantly higher health risk than fat stored around the hips and thighs (pear shape).

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies WHR into three risk categories for cardiometabolic disease. For women: Low risk <0.80, Moderate risk 0.80–0.84, High risk ≥0.85. For men: Low risk <0.90, Moderate risk 0.90–0.95, High risk ≥0.95. Research shows that WHR is a stronger predictor of heart attack risk than BMI alone, making it an essential component of any health assessment.

Beyond health, WHR is also the primary determinant of body shape classification — hourglass, pear, apple, or rectangle. Our waist to hip ratio calculator not only gives your WHR score but also visualizes your body shape and compares your proportions to classical symmetry standards. For a complete picture, pair WHR with our Body Fat Calculator → or Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator →.

How to Measure for WHR

Accurate measurement is critical for a reliable WHR. Follow these steps:

  1. Waist: Measure at the narrowest point between your lower rib and hip bone — typically just above the belly button. Breathe out normally; do not suck in.
  2. Hip: Measure at the widest point around the fullest part of your buttocks. Keep feet together and the tape parallel to the floor.
  3. Use a flexible, non-stretchable tape measure. Keep it snug but not compressing the skin.
  4. Take two measurements and average them for the most accurate result.

Use our waist hip ratio calculator inches or waist hip ratio calculator cm mode depending on your preference. The ratio is unitless and identical regardless of unit system, as long as both measurements are in the same unit.

Body Shape Classification Guide

Your WHR determines your body shape, which can also be refined by your shoulder and chest measurements:

  • Hourglass (WHR ≤0.75 for women, ≤0.85 for men): Balanced upper and lower body with a defined waist. Considered the classical aesthetic ideal.
  • Pear / Triangle (WHR ≤0.80 for women, ≤0.90 for men): Hips wider than shoulders. Fat stored predominantly in hips and thighs — lower cardiometabolic risk.
  • Apple / Inverted Triangle (WHR >0.85 for women, >0.95 for men): Waist larger than hips. Fat stored viscerally around organs — higher health risk.
  • Rectangle / Banana (WHR 0.75–0.85): Similar shoulder, waist, and hip measurements. Athletic and straight-proportioned.

Our waist hip ratio calculator body shape tool uses both your WHR and optional shoulder/bust measurements to give you the most accurate classification. Enable Advanced Proportions for the full analysis including shoulder-waist and chest-waist ratios.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the golden ratio of hips to waist?
The golden ratio for WHR is approximately 0.7 for women. Research by Singh (1993) found that a WHR of 0.7 is consistently rated as most attractive across cultures, and is associated with optimal fertility. For men, the ideal aesthetic WHR is approximately 0.85–0.90. Our calculator above compares your ratio to these standards and shows how close you are to the golden proportion.
How do you calculate waist-to-hip ratio?
WHR = Waist circumference ÷ Hip circumference (both in the same unit). For example: waist 30 in ÷ hips 40 in = 0.75 WHR. Our waist hip ratio calculator does this instantly with both imperial and metric support. The resulting number is unitless and universally comparable.
What hip size is a 32 waist?
For a 32 inch waist: 42 inch hips gives WHR 0.76 (pear shape, low risk), 40 inch hips gives WHR 0.80 (moderate risk), 38 inch hips gives WHR 0.84 (moderate-high). The ideal WHR of 0.7 requires approximately 45.7 inch hips for a 32 inch waist. Use our my waist hip ratio calculator above to find your exact numbers.
What does a 0.7 hip to waist ratio mean?
A WHR of 0.7 means your waist is 70% of your hip measurement. This is the classic hourglass proportion — widely considered the most aesthetically pleasing female body shape across cultures. Health-wise, it indicates low cardiometabolic risk because fat is stored peripherally (hips and thighs) rather than viscerally (abdomen). This ratio is associated with optimal fertility and lower rates of cardiovascular disease.
What is a perfect hip to waist ratio?
The 'perfect' WHR depends on your goal. For health, the ideal is <0.80 for women and <0.90 for men (WHO low risk). For aesthetics, the classic ideal is approximately 0.7 for women (hourglass) and 0.85–0.90 for men (V-taper). For fitness, bodybuilders often target a WHR of 0.7–0.75 for women and 0.85–0.90 for men. Our calculator evaluates your ratio against all three standards simultaneously.
What body shape do I have?
Your body shape is determined primarily by your WHR and secondarily by your shoulder-to-waist ratio. The four main shapes are: Hourglass (WHR ≤0.75 women / ≤0.85 men — defined waist, balanced bust and hips), Pear (WHR ≤0.80 — hips wider than shoulders), Apple (WHR >0.85 women / >0.95 men — waist larger than hips), and Rectangle (similar shoulder/waist/hip measurements). Enable Advanced Proportions in our calculator above for a full body shape analysis with visual silhouette.

Also Try These Free Calculators

Body Fat Calculator

Estimate body fat % using Navy, Jackson-Pollock, YMCA, and BMI methods.

Waist-to-Height Ratio

WHtR calculator with health risk scale and military compliance mode.

FFMI Calculator

Fat-Free Mass Index — measure your muscular development relative to height.

BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index and see your healthy weight range.

Scientific Basis & References

Waist-to-hip ratio thresholds follow World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for cardiometabolic risk assessment. Key references include: Singh D. (1993), "Adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness: Role of waist-to-hip ratio," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 293–307; WHO (2008), "Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation"; and Ashwell et al. (2012) on body composition screening. The body shape classification uses WHR thresholds with secondary shoulder-to-waist ratio analysis for refined categorization.