Waist-to-Hip Ratio Formula
Calculate waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to assess health risk.
A simple measurement used worldwide for both metric and imperial body measurements.
The Formula
The waist-to-hip ratio measures how fat is distributed on your body.
It compares the circumference of your waist to the circumference of your hips.
A higher ratio indicates more fat stored around the waist, which is associated with greater health risk.
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WHR | Waist-to-Hip Ratio (dimensionless) |
| waist | Waist circumference — measured at the narrowest point above the navel (cm or inches) |
| hip | Hip circumference — measured at the widest point of the buttocks (cm or inches) |
The formula works the same whether you use centimetres or inches — just use the same unit for both measurements.
Health Risk Categories
| Risk Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk | Below 0.90 | Below 0.80 |
| Moderate risk | 0.90 - 0.99 | 0.80 - 0.84 |
| High risk | 1.00 and above | 0.85 and above |
Example 1 (Metric)
A man has a waist of 90 cm and hips of 100 cm. What is his WHR?
WHR = waist / hip
WHR = 90 / 100
WHR = 0.90 — Moderate risk for men
Example 2 (Imperial)
A woman has a waist of 28 inches (71.1 cm) and hips of 37 inches (94 cm). What is her WHR?
WHR = waist / hip
WHR = 28 / 37
WHR = 0.76 — Low risk for women
When to Use It
Use the waist-to-hip ratio when you need to:
- Assess cardiovascular and metabolic health risk from fat distribution
- Track changes in body shape over time
- Get a quick health screening without scales or special equipment
- Supplement BMI with a measure that accounts for fat distribution
WHR is considered a better predictor of health risk than BMI alone.
It specifically identifies abdominal (visceral) fat, which is linked to higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
This formula is for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal health assessments.