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Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) calculator

Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see the cardiovascular risk band per the WHO.

cm
cm
Waist-to-hip ratio
0.8
Cardiovascular riskLow

WHO bands. Men: low <0.90, moderate 0.90–0.99, high ≥1.0. Women: low <0.80, moderate 0.80–0.84, high ≥0.85. A reference — not a substitute for medical advice.

How the calculation works

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) shows where the body stores fat — the abdomen ("apple") or hips ("pear"). Abdominal fat is most linked to cardiovascular risk.

WHR = waist ÷ hip

Measure the waist at its narrowest and the hip at its widest, relaxed.

Reference ranges (WHO)

RiskMenWomen
Lowup to 0.90up to 0.80
Moderate0.91–0.990.81–0.84
High≥ 1.00≥ 0.85

Step-by-step example

Waist 90 cm, hip 100 cm: 90 ÷ 100 = 0.90. An estimate — not a medical assessment.

Examples

  • Woman, waist 75 cm, hip 100 cm: 0.75 → low risk.
  • Man, waist 102 cm, hip 98 cm: 1.04 → high risk.

Frequently asked questions

WHR or BMI?

They complement each other. BMI looks at weight and height; WHR shows where fat is distributed, which also matters for risk.

WHR vs WHtR?

WHR compares waist and hip; WHtR compares waist and height. Both assess abdominal fat from different angles.

Is "apple" worse than "pear"?

For cardiovascular risk, abdominal fat (apple) tends to be more concerning than hip fat (pear).

Sources and references

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Updated on June 30, 2026 · by Rafael Rossi · Methodology & sources