Formula, in Body Composition

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 variables. Published Mar 12, 2026. Updated May 10, 2026. By AI Fit Hub.

Education, not medical advice. The result comes only from the published formula and your inputs. How we check our formulas.

Formula

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.

Body Composition Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage using the U.S. Navy circumference method.
Body Composition BMI Calculator
Calculate BMI quickly with a plain-language range explanation and limitations.