Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHR)
Calculate your Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) free with WHO classification. Find your cardiovascular risk level — low, moderate or high. Instant results.
CalcVita. (2026). Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHR). CalcVita. Retrieved June 4, 2026, from https://calcvita.com/en/calculators/waist-to-hip
Suggested article
Waist-to-Hip Ratio: What It Reveals About Your Health Risk
Learn how to measure your waist-to-hip ratio correctly, understand WHO risk thresholds, and discover why WHR may be a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI.
Read the full article →How does the WHR calculator work?
Enter your waist circumference, hip circumference, sex, and preferred unit (cm or inches). The calculator divides waist by hip to get your WHR, then classifies it according to World Health Organization (2008) risk thresholds.
The WHR formula
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. A value above the threshold (0.85 for women, 1.00 for men) indicates high abdominal obesity risk. Both measurements should be taken standing, relaxed, and at the correct anatomical landmarks.
WHO risk classification
Women: low risk (< 0.80), moderate risk (0.80–0.85), high risk (> 0.85). Men: low risk (< 0.90), moderate risk (0.90–1.00), high risk (> 1.00). These thresholds are from the 2008 WHO expert consultation on waist circumference and waist–hip ratio.
Tips for improving your WHR
Focus on reducing visceral (abdominal) fat through aerobic exercise, a fiber-rich diet, stress management, quality sleep, and limiting alcohol. Spot reduction is not possible — overall body fat loss leads to WHR improvement.
Scientific sources
- World Health Organization (2008). Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation. Geneva, 8–11 December 2008. ISBN 978 92 4 150149 1.
- Yusuf S, et al. (2005). Obesity and the risk of myocardial infarction in 27,000 participants from 52 countries: a case-control study. The Lancet 366(9497):1640–1649. PMID 16271645.
- Bigaard J, et al. (2004). Waist circumference, BMI, smoking, and mortality in middle-aged men and women. Obesity Research 12(2):358–370. PMID 14981231.
- What is Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)?
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement that divides your waist circumference by your hip circumference. It is used to assess body fat distribution and estimate cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk. A higher WHR indicates more abdominal (visceral) fat, which is associated with greater health risks than fat stored in the hips and thighs.
- What are the WHO WHR risk thresholds?
- According to the World Health Organization (2008), for women: low risk < 0.80, moderate risk 0.80–0.85, high risk > 0.85. For men: low risk < 0.90, moderate risk 0.90–1.00, high risk > 1.00. These thresholds are based on evidence linking abdominal obesity to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality.
- How do I measure my waist and hip correctly?
- For waist: stand relaxed, measure at the midpoint between the bottom of your last rib and the top of your hip bone (iliac crest), typically at the navel level. For hip: measure at the widest point of your buttocks and hips. Use a flexible tape measure, keep it horizontal, and measure after exhaling normally. Take each measurement twice and average them.
- Is WHR better than BMI for health assessment?
- WHR and BMI measure different things. BMI estimates total body fatness relative to height but does not distinguish fat distribution. WHR specifically measures abdominal vs. hip fat distribution. Research shows WHR can be a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than BMI in some populations. However, they are complementary — using both BMI and WHR together gives a more complete health picture.
- Can I reduce my WHR?
- Yes. Since WHR reflects abdominal fat, losing visceral fat (belly fat) reduces your WHR. Effective strategies include: aerobic exercise (150+ minutes/week), resistance training, a calorie-controlled diet rich in fiber and low in ultra-processed foods, reducing alcohol consumption, managing stress (cortisol promotes abdominal fat), and improving sleep quality. Spot reduction of belly fat is not possible — overall fat loss is required.
- Does WHR change with age?
- Yes. As people age, body fat tends to redistribute toward the abdomen regardless of changes in total body weight. This means WHR naturally increases with age. Postmenopausal women experience a particularly notable shift in fat distribution toward the abdomen due to hormonal changes. This age-related change is one reason why regular monitoring of waist circumference and WHR is recommended for adults over 40.
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