Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator — WHO Risk Thresholds
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), compare it with the World Health Organization thresholds for men and women, and check your waist circumference against the WHO risk levels at the same time.
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Waist Limit by Hip Size
The largest waist that keeps your WHR under the WHO threshold, for hip sizes near yours.
| Hip | Waist Under | WHR at Your Waist |
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How this calculator works
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference, both in the same unit. The World Health Organization's 2008 expert consultation uses these cut-offs for a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications:
- Men: WHR of 0.90 or more · waist above 102 cm (40 in); increased risk from a waist above 94 cm (37 in)
- Women: WHR of 0.85 or more · waist above 88 cm (35 in); increased risk from a waist above 80 cm (31.5 in)
The WHO report notes that ideal cut-offs may differ between populations. The International Diabetes Federation, for example, uses a lower waist threshold of 90 cm for South Asian, Chinese and Japanese men.
By Suhaib Hassan · Reviewed 28 September 2026 against the WHO expert consultation report · How CalculatePilot verifies formulas →
Why waist-to-hip ratio matters
Where the body stores fat matters as much as how much fat is stored. Fat carried around the abdomen ("apple-shaped") is more strongly associated with cardiovascular and metabolic health risk than fat carried around the hips and thighs ("pear-shaped") — which is what makes WHR a useful complement to BMI. The thresholds differ by sex because typical fat distribution differs between men and women.
Measuring waist and hip correctly
The WHO protocol measures the waist midway between the lower edge of the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone (iliac crest), and the hips around the widest part of the buttocks. Stand relaxed with feet together, keep the tape snug but not tight, and read it at the end of a normal breath out. Measuring at the same landmarks and time of day each time makes changes more meaningful.
A worked example
A man with a 96 cm waist and 100 cm hips: 96 ÷ 100 = 0.96, above the WHO threshold of 0.90. With the same hips, a waist under 90 cm would bring the ratio below 0.90. His waist of 96 cm is also above the 94 cm "increased risk" level.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation. Geneva, 8–11 December 2008.
- International Diabetes Federation. The IDF consensus worldwide definition of the metabolic syndrome. 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Is waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI?
They measure different things — BMI reflects overall weight relative to height, while WHR reflects fat distribution. Many health professionals consider them complementary rather than one replacing the other.
Why do risk thresholds differ between men and women?
Natural body fat distribution differs by sex on average, so WHO sets separate thresholds: a WHR of 0.90 or more for men and 0.85 or more for women indicates substantially increased risk.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Using the WHO cut-offs, a ratio below 0.90 for men or below 0.85 for women is below the level linked to substantially increased risk of metabolic complications.
Should I use waist-to-hip or waist-to-height ratio?
Both describe fat around the middle. Waist-to-height ratio needs only one tape measurement and is recommended by NICE in the UK; waist-to-hip ratio is the measure used in the WHO report. Checking both, alongside BMI, gives a fuller picture.
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