Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate waist-to-hip ratio and cardiovascular health risk level.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: CDC

Sex
in
in

Waist-Hip Ratio

0.850

Health Risk

Low

WHO Thresholds

Your WHR0.850
High Risk Threshold> 0.90
Risk LevelLow
Waist34 in
Hip40 in

Use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Where your body stores fat says something about cardiovascular risk, and the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is one of the cleaner ways to read it. A higher ratio reflects more fat carried around the abdomen, and the American Heart Association's 2026 guidelines flag that pattern as a sharper predictor of heart disease than BMI on its own. Knowing where your own number falls gives you a concrete starting point for thinking about health and lifestyle.

Computing WHR means dividing waist circumference by hip circumference, nothing more. Take a waist of 80 cm against hips of 100 cm and the ratio comes out to 0.8. That single figure carries more nuance about risk than total body weight ever could, because it speaks to fat distribution rather than mass alone.

Measurement technique decides whether the result means anything. Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of the waist, usually just above the navel, and around the widest part of the hips at the buttocks. Breathing normally is essential, since holding your breath or pulling the stomach in skews the reading. Measure against bare skin as well, never over clothing, which adds bulk and throws off the figure.

Example: Assessing Cardiovascular Risk for a 45-Year-Old Female

  1. 1 Step 1: Input Measurements: A 45-year-old female measures her waist circumference at 85 cm and her hip circumference at 105 cm.
  2. 2 Step 2: Calculate WHR: The calculator divides 85 cm (waist) by 105 cm (hip) to get a WHR of approximately 0.81.
  3. 3 Step 3: Determine Risk Level: Based on the global health organization's 2026 risk thresholds, a WHR of 0.81 for women falls into the 'moderate risk' category for cardiovascular disease.
  4. 4 Step 4: Understand Context: This result suggests that while not critically high, this individual should consider lifestyle adjustments, such as increased physical activity and a balanced diet, to reduce her risk. Regular consultations with a healthcare provider are always recommended for personalized advice.

Source: CDC · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
For men, a WHR below 0.90 is low risk and above 1.0 is high risk. For women, below 0.80 is low risk and above 0.85 is high risk. WHR is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease.
How do you measure waist-to-hip ratio correctly?
Measure your waist at the narrowest point (usually at the navel) and your hips at the widest point of the buttocks. Divide waist by hip measurement. Use a flexible tape measure and stand relaxed.
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
WHR is often a better predictor of health risks than BMI because it measures fat distribution. Central (abdominal) fat is more dangerous than hip/thigh fat. People with normal BMI but high WHR still face elevated heart disease risk.

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