Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see your health-risk category, based on your waist and hip measurements.
Measure the widest part of your hips.
What a Waist-to-Hip Ratio Tells You
Your waist-to-hip ratio compares the size of your waist to the size of your hips. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement and you get one number. A waist of 80 cm and hips of 100 cm give a ratio of 0.80.
The number shows where your body stores fat. Fat around the waist sits near your organs and carries more health risk than fat on the hips. The risk bands differ by sex. For men, under 0.90 is low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 is moderate, and 1.0 or more is high. For women, under 0.80 is low, 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate, and 0.85 or more is high.
How to Measure Your Waist and Hips
Accurate numbers start with good measurements. Stand relaxed and breathe out first. Measure your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above the belly button. Measure your hips at the widest part of your buttocks.
Keep the tape level all the way around and snug, not tight. Use the same units for both readings. Enter them above and the calculator returns your ratio and your risk band. A waist of 80 and hips of 100 returns a ratio of 0.80.
WHR Compared to BMI and Body Fat
Each measure answers a different question. BMI weighs you against your height. Waist-to-hip ratio shows how your fat is spread out. Body-fat percentage estimates how much of your weight is fat.
Two people can share the same BMI yet carry fat in very different places. That is why many people read these side by side. Check your number with the BMI calculator and estimate how much of your weight is fat with the body-fat calculator.
What a Higher Ratio Can Mean
A higher ratio points to more fat around the middle. Research links that pattern to a greater chance of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The ratio is a screening flag, not a diagnosis, and it does not measure body fat directly. Talk to a doctor about your own risk.
Daily habits move the number over time. More movement, steady eating and less stress all help. The Velpa app tracks your steps and weight in one private place so you can watch the trend and check that your plan is working.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a waist-to-hip ratio?
- Your waist-to-hip ratio is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. It shows where your body stores fat. A waist of 80 cm and hips of 100 cm give a ratio of 0.80. A higher number means more weight around the middle, which carries more health risk.
- What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
- For men, a ratio under 0.90 is low risk, 0.90 to 0.99 is moderate, and 1.0 or higher is high. For women, under 0.80 is low risk, 0.80 to 0.84 is moderate, and 0.85 or higher is high. These bands follow World Health Organization guidance. A woman with a ratio of 0.80 sits in the moderate band.
- How do I measure my waist and hips?
- Stand relaxed and breathe out. Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the belly button. Measure your hips at the widest point of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug without pressing into the skin. Use the same units for both.
- Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
- They measure different things. BMI compares weight to height. Waist-to-hip ratio shows fat distribution, which matters because belly fat is linked to higher risk. Many people use both. Neither measures body fat directly, so pair them with the body-fat calculator for a fuller picture.
- What does a high waist-to-hip ratio mean?
- A high ratio means more fat around your waist relative to your hips. That pattern is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. A high number is a flag to check in with a doctor, not a diagnosis. This tool is general information, not medical advice.