Body & diet / Measurements
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHO Cut-offs)
Work out your waist-to-hip ratio and compare it, with your waist size, against the World Health Organization's cut-offs for men and women, and add your height for the waist-to-height ratio, with how to measure.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHO Cut-offs): The ratio is waist ÷ hips: a waist of 78 cm and hips of 100 cm give 0.78, below the WHO cut-off of 0.85 for women. For men the cut-off is 0.90, so a 98 cm waist and 104 cm hips, 0.94, is above it. Waist-to-height divides the waist by your height: 78 ÷ 165 = 0.47. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
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Measure your waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, and your hips around the widest part of the buttocks, standing relaxed and breathing out. The World Health Organization's 2008 report links a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women, or a waist above 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women, with substantially increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. The thresholds were set mainly from European populations; lower ones are often used for Asian adults.
The WHO cut-offs
From the WHO's 2008 expert consultation: a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90 or more for men and 0.85 or more for women means substantially increased risk; a waist above 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women means increased risk, and above 102 and 88 cm substantially increased.
Waist-to-height
Keeping your waist to less than half your height, a ratio below 0.5, is a simple guide that works across sexes and many ethnic groups. To estimate body fat from measurements, use the body fat calculator.
How to use it
- Choose your sex and units.
- Measure and enter your waist and hips, and your height if you like.
- Read the ratios and how they compare with the cut-offs.
Privacy & limitations
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Frequently asked questions
Why does fat around the waist matter?
Fat stored inside the abdomen is linked more closely with heart disease and type 2 diabetes than fat on the hips and thighs, and BMI alone does not show where fat is.
Where exactly do I measure?
Waist: midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out. Hips: around the widest part of the buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
Are the cut-offs the same for everyone?
No: they were based mainly on European adults, and lower waist cut-offs are often used for South Asian, Chinese, and Japanese adults. They also do not apply during pregnancy.
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