Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Your WHR and cardiovascular risk level
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Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) divides waist circumference by hip circumference. It reflects fat distribution: higher WHR means more abdominal fat and greater cardiovascular risk. WHO flags risk above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.
How to use this waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Pick your gender, then enter two measurements in centimetres: your waist — measured at the narrowest point, or level with the navel as WHO suggests — and your hips at their widest. Keep the tape snug but not tight and your abdomen relaxed. Press calculate and your WHR appears instantly, along with a low, moderate or high risk badge. No sign-up is required.
How to read your result
WHR is waist divided by hip, so it has no unit — just a number like 0.85. Using WHO reference points, cardiometabolic risk climbs above roughly 0.90 in men and 0.85 in women; below those figures your fat is distributed more favourably. A lower ratio describes a ‘pear’ shape, while a higher one signals an ‘apple’ shape, where more fat sits around the abdomen.
The science behind the numbers
WHR works as a simple proxy for visceral fat — the deep fat packed around your organs — which is far more metabolically active than fat on the hips or thighs. That is why the WHO thresholds of 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women flag elevated cardiometabolic risk. Where your fat sits, not just how much you carry, helps drive the odds of heart disease and type-2 diabetes, sometimes predicting risk better than BMI alone.
Limits and practical tips
Consistency is everything: measure at the same landmarks, breathe out gently and keep the tape snug rather than compressing the skin. WHR is not valid during pregnancy and should sit alongside other measures, not replace them. For a fuller picture, try CaloNote’s Waist-to-Height Ratio calculator, then cross-check with the Body Fat and BMI calculators. The CaloNote app ties these numbers to your daily meals and habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the waist-to-hip ratio?
- Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference. It indicates how fat is distributed between the abdomen and hips, and a higher ratio reflects more central fat, which carries greater cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
- How do I measure waist-to-hip ratio?
- Measure your waist at its narrowest point and your hips at their widest, keeping the tape level and snug. Divide waist by hip. Enter both measurements here and the tool returns your WHR with the matching WHO risk category for your sex.
- What waist-to-hip ratio is considered healthy?
- Using WHO thresholds, cardiovascular risk rises above about 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, with 1.0 or higher considered high risk. Lower ratios suggest a healthier fat distribution, though WHR is one indicator best read alongside others.