Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and cardiovascular risk classification instantly - enter your waist and hip measurements to get your WHR, WHO risk category (Low, Moderate, High, or Very High), and a colour-coded visual scale. Optionally add your height for a waist-to-height ratio. Supports metric and imperial units with sex-specific thresholds. Free, private, and no signup required.
Enter your waist and hip measurements to calculate WHR and cardiovascular risk using WHO standard thresholds. Optionally add height for waist-to-height ratio.
Narrowest point
Widest point
- Waist: Measure at the narrowest point, typically at or just above the navel. Keep the tape parallel to the floor and breathe out normally.
- Hip: Measure at the widest point of your hips and buttocks. Stand with feet together and keep the tape parallel to the floor.
Why Use Our Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator?
WHO Cardiovascular Risk Classification
Classifies your WHR into Low, Moderate, High, or Very High cardiovascular risk using the World Health Organization standard thresholds with sex-specific cutoffs for male and female.
Metric and Imperial Unit Support
Enter measurements in centimetres or inches. The calculator converts automatically and shows results in both unit systems. Optionally add height to get the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) alongside WHR.
Fully Private - Runs in Your Browser
All calculations happen locally in your browser. Your waist, hip, and height measurements are never sent to any server, stored, or tracked. Complete privacy with no account required.
100% Free with Visual Risk Scale
A colour-coded visual risk scale highlights your classification at a glance. WHO reference thresholds for your sex are shown alongside your result. Free forever with no signup required.
Common Use Cases for Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Cardiovascular Health Screening
Use WHR as a quick screen for abdominal fat distribution, which is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease than overall weight or BMI. Know your risk level before a clinical visit.
Fitness Progress Tracking
Track changes in body composition during a diet or training program. WHR often reflects visceral fat loss before the scale moves, making it a useful early indicator of progress.
Body Composition Assessment
Use WHR alongside BMI for a more complete picture of body composition. WHR specifically measures fat distribution, which BMI does not capture. Both together give more clinical insight.
Nutrition & Weight Management
People on structured nutrition programs use WHR to monitor central adiposity. Reducing waist circumference while maintaining hip measurement indicates targeted visceral fat reduction.
Pre-Clinical Health Checks
Calculate WHR before a health consultation to arrive with your own baseline data. Sharing your WHR and risk classification helps make conversations with healthcare providers more productive.
General Wellness Awareness
Anyone curious about their metabolic health can use this calculator to understand where they fall on the WHO risk scale and what changes to waist or hip measurements would shift their category.
Understanding Waist-to-Hip Ratio and Cardiovascular Risk
What is Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)?
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement that compares your waist circumference to your hip circumference using the formula WHR = Waist ÷ Hip. It is used by the World Health Organization as a practical screening tool for abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk. Unlike BMI, which measures total body weight relative to height, WHR specifically measures fat distribution - particularly the accumulation of visceral fat around the abdomen, which is more strongly linked to metabolic disease than subcutaneous fat stored in the hips and thighs.
WHO Cardiovascular Risk Thresholds
The WHO defines four risk categories with sex-specific cutoffs:
Male
- Low Risk: WHR < 0.90
- Moderate Risk: 0.90 - 0.94
- High Risk: 0.95 - 0.99
- Very High Risk: ≥ 1.00
Female
- Low Risk: WHR < 0.80
- Moderate Risk: 0.80 - 0.84
- High Risk: 0.85 - 0.89
- Very High Risk: ≥ 0.90
Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR)
The optional waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is calculated as Waist ÷ Height. A WHtR below 0.50 is generally considered healthy across most adult populations, making it a simple universal threshold. Some research suggests WHtR may be a stronger predictor of cardiometabolic risk than either WHR or BMI alone, because it adjusts waist circumference for body size.
WHR vs BMI - What is the Difference?
BMI (Body Mass Index) measures total weight relative to height and does not distinguish between fat and muscle or where fat is stored. WHR measures fat distribution - specifically whether weight is concentrated around the abdomen (apple shape, higher risk) versus the hips and thighs (pear shape, lower risk). Using both together gives the most complete picture of metabolic health. For personalized medical advice, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
A waist-to-hip ratio calculator computes WHR = Waist ÷ Hip and classifies cardiovascular risk using WHO standard thresholds with sex-specific cutoffs for male and female.
For men, a WHR below 0.90 is Low Risk. For women, a WHR below 0.80 is Low Risk. Above 1.00 (men) or 0.90 (women) indicates Very High cardiovascular risk according to WHO guidelines.
Waist: at the narrowest point, typically at or just above the navel. Stand relaxed, breathe out normally, and keep the tape parallel to the floor. Hip: at the widest point of your hips and buttocks, with feet together and tape parallel to the floor.
WHR specifically measures abdominal fat distribution, which is more strongly linked to cardiovascular and metabolic disease than overall weight. BMI does not capture where fat is stored. Using both together gives the most complete picture of metabolic health risk.
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) = Waist ÷ Height. A WHtR below 0.50 is generally considered healthy. It adjusts waist circumference for body size and some research suggests it may predict cardiometabolic risk as well as or better than WHR or BMI alone.
Yes. The calculator supports both centimetres (metric) and inches (imperial). Switch between unit systems using the dropdown and the calculator converts measurements automatically.
Yes. All calculations run entirely in your browser. Your waist, hip, and height measurements are never sent to any server, stored, or tracked in any way.
Yes - 100% free with no signup, no account, and no usage limits. Calculate your WHR and cardiovascular risk classification as often as you need.