Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Your waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios, and what they say about health risk.
Good to know. Two people with the same BMI can carry their weight very differently. The tape measure sees what the scale doesn’t.
Not medical advice. A general estimate for healthy adults.
How it works
In plain words
Divide your waist by your hips, both in the same unit. The WHO counts a ratio of 0.90 or more for men, or 0.85 or more for women, as abdominal obesity. The waist-to-height ratio is the waist divided by your height; under 0.5 is healthy.
The formula
waist-to-hip = waist ÷ hips waist-to-height = waist ÷ height WHO: ≥ 0.90 men, ≥ 0.85 women · NICE: < 0.5 healthy, 0.5–0.6 increased, ≥ 0.6 high
Worked example
A woman with an 80 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 80 ÷ 100 = 0.8, below the WHO’s 0.85, so a low risk.
Sources
- World Health Organization, Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, 2008 Abdominal obesity at a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or more for men and 0.85 or more for women.
- NICE guideline NG246, Overweight and obesity management, 2025 Keep waist to less than half of height; 0.5–0.59 increased and 0.6 or more high risk.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. 3 automated tests check its answers on every change.
About the waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Where you carry weight matters, not just how much. Fat around the waist and organs is more strongly linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure than fat on the hips and thighs. The waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio capture this with just a tape measure, and they can flag risk that BMI misses.
The World Health Organization treats a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or more in men, or 0.85 or more in women, as abdominal obesity. The waist-to-height ratio is simpler and works for everyone: the UK’s NICE recommends keeping your waist to less than half your height, with 0.5 to 0.6 an increased risk and 0.6 or above a high one.
Measure on bare skin, standing, after breathing out normally. The waist is halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, which is often a little above the belly button; the hips are the widest part of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug but not tight, and measure twice.
These ratios are screening tools, not a diagnosis, and are less useful in pregnancy, for children and for people with very high or low BMI. If yours is high, a doctor can check blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Questions people ask
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women, according to the WHO.
What is a healthy waist-to-height ratio?
Under 0.5: your waist less than half your height. NICE counts 0.5–0.6 as increased risk and 0.6 or more as high.
Where do I measure my waist?
Halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, after breathing out, with the tape level.