Body Composition Formula

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Formula

Waist divided by hip circumference. A better cardiometabolic risk predictor than BMI alone because it captures visceral fat distribution.

3 VARIABLESPublished Mar 12, 2026Updated May 10, 2026Live Content

By Orbyd Editorial · AI Fit Hub Team

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculate waist-to-hip ratio and assess body composition using WHO guidelines.

On This Page

Education · Not medical advice. Output is deterministic math from your inputs.Editorial standards Sponsor disclosure Corrections

Formula

Copy the exact expression or work through it step by step below.

WHR = waist_cm / hip_cm

Variables

WHR

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Dimensionless ratio. WHO substantial-risk cutoffs: men ≥ 0.90, women ≥ 0.85.

waist_cm

Waist circumference

Midway between the bottom of the rib cage and the top of the iliac crest, measured on a relaxed exhale.

hip_cm

Hip circumference

Widest point of the buttocks, with heels together.

Step By Step

1

Stand relaxed, feet together, on a relaxed exhale.

No compression of soft tissue; tape should sit flat.
2

Measure waist at the natural narrowest point or at the iliac-crest midpoint (WHO protocol). Record in centimeters.

84 cm.
3

Measure hip at the widest point of the buttocks.

98 cm.
4

Divide waist by hip.

84 / 98 = 0.857.

Worked Example

Adult with waist 84, hip 98

Waist (cm)

Hip (cm)

WHR = 84 / 98 = 0.857

WHR 0.86 — below the WHO male cutoff (0.90), above the female cutoff (0.85). Cardiometabolic risk reads against sex-specific bands.

Common Variations

Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR): keep waist below half your height. Simpler and arguably more predictive than WHR.

Waist circumference alone (men ≥102 cm, women ≥88 cm) is an alternative WHO criterion when hip data isn't available.

Sagittal abdominal diameter (supine waist depth) outperforms WHR for visceral fat estimation but requires a caliper.

Try These Tools

Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method.

Calculate BMI quickly with a plain-language range explanation and limitations.

Sources & References