Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Table of contents
Why is waist-hip ratio important?How should I measure waist and hips?How do I calculate the waist to hip ratio?How does the waist to hip ratio calculator work?FAQsThe waist to hip ratio calculator estimates the dimensionless ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. Keep reading if:
- You wonder what conclusion you might draw from your waist-hip ratio;
- You wish to learn how to measure your waist and hips correctly; or
- You wish to learn how our waist-to-hip calculator works.
Why is waist-hip ratio important?
The waist-hip ratio is generally an indicator or measure of health and the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or Alzheimer's disease. Research shows that people with "apple-shaped" bodies (with more weight around the waist) face more health risks than those with "pear-shaped" bodies who carry more weight around the hips. Check your body shape with our body shape calculator.
Waist-hip ratio is used as a measurement of obesity. The WHO states that abdominal obesity is defined as a waist-hip ratio above 0.90 for males and above 0.85 for females or a body mass index (BMI) above 30. Visit our BMI calculator to learn more.
Another way of measuring obesity is absolute waist circumference above 40 in (102 cm) in men and above 35 in (88 cm) in women.
How should I measure waist and hips?
It's more complicated than you might think:
- According to the WHO's data gathering protocol, we should use a stretch-resistant tape to measure the waist circumference at the midpoint between the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest.
- Hip circumference should be measured around the widest portion of the buttocks, with the tape parallel to the floor.
- Practically, the measurements are usually taken at the smallest circumference of the natural waist, usually just above the belly button and the widest part of the buttocks or hip.
How do I calculate the waist to hip ratio?
Do you wish to learn more about calculating the waist-to-hip ratio by hand? To calculate the waist-to-hip ratio, we use the following formula:
Ratio = W / H
In this formula, W refers to the circumference of the waist, and H represents the circumference of the hip.
For example, a person with a 28 in (71 cm) waist and 35 in (89 cm) hips has a waist-hip ratio of 28/35 = 0.8.
How does the waist to hip ratio calculator work?
Our waist-to-hip ratio calculator is very easy to use.
- Simply choose your preferred unit of measurement in the fields marked waist circumference and hip circumference.
- Next, enter your waist and hip circumference.
- And now you should be able to see your waist-to-hip ratio.
Are you interested in learning about the amount of water your body contains? Be sure to check our total body water calculator.
What is the perfect waist-to-hip ratio?
According to the World Health Organization, the best (i.e., related to low health risk)) wasit-to-hip ration (WHR) is below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women.
A higher WHR is a risk factor for developing several chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Is 0.85 a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
The answer depends on your gender. For men, 0.85 is good (low risk of disease), while for women, 0.85 is already in the category of moderate health risk.
What is my waist hip ratio if my waist is 75 and hip 95?
The answer is 0.79. This is a good result; you have a low risk of disease! To derive the answer, you need to divide the waist circumference by the hip circumference: 75 / 95 = 0.79.