Important Note : WHR is a screening tool for central obesity. For adults, a WHR of 0.90 or above in men and 0.85 or above in women suggests increased health risk.

Use this Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator to calculate your WHR from waist and hip measurements and check your body-shape risk category. It is a simple screening tool used to estimate central obesity risk and to understand whether body fat is carried more around the waist than around the hips.

Reviewed by: AjaxCalculators Editorial Team
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Method source: Waist-to-hip ratio screening using waist circumference divided by hip circumference, with sex-specific adult cutoff interpretation
Editorial standards: AjaxCalculators Editorial Policy

What This Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator Calculates

This calculator estimates:

• Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)
• Health risk category

It uses three simple inputs:

• Sex
• Waist circumference
• Hip circumference

How the Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator Works

The formula is:

WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference

Because both measurements use the same unit, the unit cancels out. That means the ratio is the same whether you use centimeters or inches, as long as both measurements use the same unit.

Example:

• Waist: 84 cm
• Hip: 100 cm

WHR = 84 ÷ 100 = 0.84

A higher WHR usually means proportionally more fat is carried around the waist rather than around the hips.

How to Interpret Waist to Hip Ratio

Common adult cutoff values used in public-health guidance are:

• Men: WHR of 0.90 or above suggests central obesity risk
• Women: WHR of 0.85 or above suggests central obesity risk

In general, the higher the ratio, the greater the likelihood of abdominal fat accumulation and related chronic disease risk.

Assumptions and Important Notes

• This calculator is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
• WHR is most useful for adults.
• Measurement technique matters. Small errors in waist or hip measurement can noticeably change the ratio.
• Waist should be measured consistently and hip circumference should be taken around the widest part of the buttocks.
• WHR should be interpreted together with overall health, body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose status, and clinical context.

Worked Example

Suppose a woman has:

• Waist: 78 cm
• Hip: 96 cm

Step 1: Use the WHR formula
WHR = waist ÷ hip

Step 2: Substitute the values
WHR = 78 ÷ 96

Step 3: Calculate
WHR = 0.8125

Step 4: Interpret the result
This is below the common 0.85 cutoff used for women, so it would not fall into the usual higher-risk central-obesity category.

How to Use This Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator

1. Select your sex.
2. Enter your waist circumference.
3. Enter your hip circumference.
4. Use the same unit for both measurements.
5. Click Calculate to see your WHR and risk category.

How to Measure Waist and Hips Properly

• Waist: measure at the midpoint between the last palpable rib and the top of the hip bone
• Hips: measure around the widest part of the buttocks
• Stand upright with weight evenly distributed
• Keep the tape snug but not tight enough to compress the skin
• Measure at the end of a normal breath out

How to Interpret the Result

WHR tells you how large your waist is relative to your hips.

A lower ratio usually means more fat is stored around the hips and thighs, while a higher ratio usually means more fat is stored around the abdomen.

Because abdominal fat is more strongly linked with cardiometabolic risk, WHR can provide useful context beyond body weight alone.

Practical Uses of a Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator

• screen for central obesity
• track waist-related body-shape changes over time
• compare body-fat distribution beyond body weight alone
• add another simple measure alongside BMI or waist circumference

References

1. WHO: Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio expert consultation
2. Centre for Health Protection: Waist size, body shape and health
3. AjaxCalculators live WHR calculator

Related Calculators

• Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) Calculator
• Waist to Hip and Height Ratio Calculator
• ABSI Calculator
• Body Fat Calculator

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and screening use only. It does not diagnose obesity, heart disease, diabetes, or any medical condition. If you are concerned about your body-shape risk or waist size, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.