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Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator | WHO Risk Chart

Q: What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

Below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women is low risk by WHO criteria. At or above 1.00 (men) / 0.86 (women) is high risk.

Q: Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?

For cardiometabolic risk, usually yes. WHR measures fat distribution rather than total mass, and predicts heart disease and diabetes risk independent of BMI.

Q: How do I measure waist and hips correctly?

Waist: midway between the lower rib and the top of the hip bone, at the navel level, relaxed exhale. Hips: the widest point over the buttocks. Keep the tape snug, not compressing.

Q: What does WHR above 1.0 mean?

For men it means the waist exceeds the hips — abdominal (visceral) obesity, associated with sharply higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

A waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculator divides waist circumference by hip circumference and classifies health risk using WHO thresholds: ≥0.96 (men) or ≥0.81 (women) indicates moderate risk, and ≥1.0 / ≥0.86 indicates high cardiometabolic risk from abdominal fat distribution.

Last updated: September 2026 · Free · No sign-up required

Results

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Quick reference

WHO risk classification:

WHR	Men	Women
Low risk	< 0.90	< 0.80
Moderate	0.90–0.99	0.80–0.85
High	≥ 1.00	≥ 0.86

monitor_weight Better than BMI

Two people with identical BMI can carry very different risk — WHR separates them by fat location.

warning WHR ≥ 1.0 (men)

Waist larger than hips marks central obesity — the strongest tape-measure predictor of metabolic syndrome.

straighten Measure twice

Take two measurements each session and average them; a 2 cm tape error swings the classification.

trending_down Improving it

Visceral fat responds to aerobic exercise and modest calorie deficits faster than subcutaneous fat — expect waist change within weeks.

lightbulb A real example — 92 cm waist, 100 cm hips

Male, waist 92 cm, hips 100 cm.

Result: WHR = 0.92 — moderate risk band (0.90–0.99).

What this means: Losing 6–8 cm from the waist (mostly visceral fat) drops the ratio below 0.90 into the low-risk band — achievable in 2–3 months with aerobic work.

Formula & methodology

Formula: WHR = Waist ÷ Hip; risk bands: men ≥0.96 moderate, ≥1.00 high; women ≥0.81 moderate, ≥0.86 high

Why the ratio matters

Where you store fat predicts risk better than total weight. Android (abdominal) fat is metabolically active and drives insulin resistance; gluteofemoral fat is comparatively protective. WHR captures that distribution with a tape measure.

Measuring: waist at the midpoint between lower rib and hip bone (roughly the navel), hip at the widest point over the buttocks, tape level, exhale normally, don't compress skin.

WHO classes: men 0.90–0.99 moderate / ≥1.00 high; women 0.80–0.85 moderate / ≥0.86 high. Below those, risk is low.

Authoritative source: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44583

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

Below 0.90 for men and below 0.80 for women is low risk by WHO criteria. At or above 1.00 (men) / 0.86 (women) is high risk.

Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?

For cardiometabolic risk, usually yes. WHR measures fat distribution rather than total mass, and predicts heart disease and diabetes risk independent of BMI.

How do I measure waist and hips correctly?

Waist: midway between the lower rib and the top of the hip bone, at the navel level, relaxed exhale. Hips: the widest point over the buttocks. Keep the tape snug, not compressing.

What does WHR above 1.0 mean?

For men it means the waist exceeds the hips — abdominal (visceral) obesity, associated with sharply higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

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