Hips to Waist Ratio Calculator

Welcome to the Hips to Waist Ratio Calculator! This tool helps you quickly find out your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), a simple but powerful number used to evaluate body fat distribution and related health risks. All you need are two measurements — your waist and your hips — and the calculator does the rest. Whether you’re tracking your fitness progress, checking health indicators, or just curious, this calculator is designed for accuracy and ease of use. You can jump right in or continue reading to learn more about the formula, examples, and interpretation.

Understanding the Formula

The waist-to-hip ratio is calculated using this straightforward formula:

Primary Formula
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) = Waist Circumference ÷ Hip Circumference

Variables

• Waist Circumference: Measurement around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button.
• Hip Circumference: Measurement around the widest part of your hips or buttocks.

Important: Both measurements must be in the same unit (inches or centimeters).

Interpretation of the Ratio
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHR can be used to assess health risks linked to obesity and fat distribution:

For Males:

• Low Risk: 0.95 or below
• Moderate Risk: 0.96 – 1.0
• High Risk: 1.0 or above

For Females:

• Low Risk: 0.80 or below
• Moderate Risk: 0.81 – 0.85
• High Risk: 0.86 or above

In simpler terms, a lower WHR is often linked to lower health risks, while higher values may indicate a greater risk of cardiovascular and metabolic issues.

What Do the Parameters Mean?

Waist Circumference
This measures abdominal fat. A higher waist measurement often signals more fat around vital organs, which can increase health risks.

Hip Circumference
This reflects fat stored in the lower body, which is less risky compared to abdominal fat. Wider hips usually balance the ratio in a healthier way.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio
This is the final number that indicates whether your fat distribution is within a safe range or potentially concerning.

How to Use the Hips to Waist Ratio Calculator — Step-by-Step Example

Let’s walk through an example:

1. Waist Circumference = 75 cm
2. Hip Circumference = 95 cm

Apply the formula:
WHR = 75 ÷ 95 = 0.79

Result: For a female, this score indicates a low health risk, since it falls below the 0.80 threshold.

This makes it easy to understand where you stand in terms of health risks associated with body fat distribution.

Additional Information

Here’s a quick reference table to understand WHR categories:

Gender	Low Risk	Moderate Risk	High Risk
Male	0.95 or below	0.96 – 1.0	1.0 or above
Female	0.80 or below	0.81 – 0.85	0.86 or above

These values provide a helpful guideline, but remember, WHR is just one measure of health and should be combined with other checks.

FAQs