Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator

Category: Diabetes
- April 12, 2025
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Calculate your Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR), a simple measurement that helps assess health risks related to weight distribution and obesity. Higher WHR values are associated with increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions.

Personal Information

Body Measurements

How to measure:

Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually at the level of your navel, while standing relaxed.

Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips, usually at the level of the hip bones or the fullest part of your buttocks.

Display Options

About Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a measurement of the distribution of body fat. It measures the ratio of your waist circumference to your hip circumference. WHR is a simple indicator of health risk related to fat distribution.

Health Implications

People with "apple-shaped" bodies (more weight around the waist) have a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and related health conditions than those with "pear-shaped" bodies (more weight around the hips).

WHR Interpretation by Gender
Category Men Women Health Risk
Excellent < 0.85 < 0.75 Low
Good 0.85 - 0.90 0.75 - 0.80 Moderate
Average 0.90 - 0.95 0.80 - 0.85 Moderate
High 0.95 - 1.00 0.85 - 0.90 High
Very High > 1.00 > 0.90 Very High
Body Shapes
  • Apple Shape: More fat stored around the abdomen (higher WHR).
  • Pear Shape: More fat stored around the hips and thighs (lower WHR).
  • Hourglass Shape: Equal distribution between waist and hips (WHR around 0.7 for women).
  • Straight/Rectangle Shape: Similar waist and hip measurements (WHR close to 0.8-0.9).

What Is the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator?

The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) Calculator is a simple yet powerful tool that evaluates how your body fat is distributed. By comparing the size of your waist to your hips, the calculator helps you understand your risk level for conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

WHR is especially useful for identifying abdominal obesity, a key risk factor in many chronic illnesses. Unlike just checking weight or body mass index (BMI), WHR focuses on fat location—which often matters more.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Formula

WHR = Waist Circumference ÷ Hip Circumference

The formula is simple: divide the measurement of your waist by the measurement of your hips. Both values should be in the same unit (either centimeters or inches).

Why Use This Calculator?

This WHR Calculator helps you:

  • Identify fat distribution patterns (apple, pear, hourglass, or rectangle body shapes)
  • Assess health risks associated with abdominal fat
  • Track changes in your body shape over time
  • Support overall diabetes and metabolic health awareness

While tools like the A1C Calculator or HOMA-IR assessment estimate blood sugar control or insulin sensitivity, WHR focuses on where fat is stored—often the first clue in chronic disease risk.

How to Use the Calculator

Follow these steps for an accurate result:

  • Step 1: Select your gender and enter your age (18–120).
  • Step 2: Choose your preferred measurement unit (cm or inches).
  • Step 3: Measure your waist at the narrowest point (usually near the navel).
  • Step 4: Measure your hips at the widest point (typically around the buttocks).
  • Step 5: Click "Calculate WHR" to view your ratio, health category, body shape, and risk level.

The calculator can also show step-by-step calculations, risk indicators, and a visual WHR chart. You can adjust the number of decimal places for precision.

Understanding Your Results

Based on your inputs, the tool shows:

  • Your WHR value
  • Health risk level: Low, Moderate, High, or Very High
  • Body shape category (e.g., Apple Shape or Pear Shape)
  • Visual chart comparing your WHR to reference values

These insights help you spot trends in your health and complement other tools like the Estimated Average Glucose Calculator or Diabetes Risk Calculator for broader analysis.

Who Can Benefit from WHR Tracking?

This calculator is useful for:

  • Adults monitoring their overall health
  • People managing weight or chronic health conditions
  • Those seeking early indicators of potential metabolic issues

WHR offers a quick way to check your health outlook without blood tests or special equipment—just a measuring tape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What’s a healthy WHR?
    For men, a WHR below 0.90 is generally considered healthy. For women, below 0.80 is preferred.
  • Is WHR better than BMI?
    WHR focuses on fat distribution, which is often a better predictor of health risks than BMI, especially for those with average or athletic builds.
  • Can I use this if I'm under 18?
    This tool is recommended for adults aged 18 and older due to differences in growth and fat distribution during adolescence.
  • How often should I check my WHR?
    Once every few months is a good frequency for monitoring long-term trends.

Related Health Tools

For a deeper understanding of your health, consider these related calculators:

  • Estimated Average Glucose Calculator: Convert A1C to eAG values for blood sugar monitoring.
  • Diabetes Risk Calculator: Get a general idea of your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
  • HOMA-IR Calculator: Assess insulin resistance and sensitivity levels.
  • QUICKI Calculator: Measure insulin sensitivity using a glucose-insulin ratio.

Combining WHR data with tools like the HbA1c conversion tool or an insulin dosage calculator can provide a more complete picture of your metabolic health.