Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) to assess your body fat distribution and cardiovascular health risk. The WHR is recommended by the World Health Organization as a key indicator of abdominal obesity.
Health Risk Categories
What is Waist-to-Hip Ratio?
The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a measurement that compares the size of your waist to the size of your hips. It is used as an indicator of health and risk of developing serious health conditions. The World Health Organization considers WHR one of the best measures of abdominal obesity.
How is WHR calculated?
The formula is simple: WHR = Waist Circumference / Hip Circumference
For example, if your waist measures 80 cm and your hips measure 100 cm:
WHR = 80 / 100 = 0.80
WHO Health Risk Categories
The World Health Organization uses different thresholds for men and women:
| Health Risk | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Low | < 0.80 | < 0.90 |
| Moderate | 0.80 – 0.85 | 0.90 – 0.99 |
| High | > 0.85 | ≥ 1.00 |
Why does WHR matter?
People who carry more weight around their waist (an "apple" body shape) are at higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke compared to those who carry weight around their hips (a "pear" body shape). WHR helps identify this risk even when BMI appears normal.
WHR vs BMI
While BMI measures overall body weight relative to height, WHR specifically measures where fat is stored. Research has shown that abdominal fat (measured by WHR) is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease than BMI alone. For the most complete picture, use both measurements together with our Body Fat Calculator.
How to reduce your WHR
To improve your Waist-to-Hip Ratio, focus on reducing abdominal fat through a combination of balanced nutrition and regular exercise. A calorie-controlled diet rich in whole foods, lean protein, and fiber can help target visceral fat. Foodplaner can help you create personalized meal plans tailored to your goals — sign up for free to get started.