Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator (WHO Cut-offs)
Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio from waist and hip circumference, compare it with the WHO cut-off and, if you enter your height, see your waist-to-height ratio.
Things to keep in mind:
- The cut-offs are defined for adults; they are not used for children, adolescents or pregnant women.
- The WHO report notes that lower cut-offs have been proposed for some ethnic groups such as Asian populations; this calculator uses the general cut-offs.
- Measuring site and technique strongly affect the result; always measure at the same points and under the same conditions.
- The result is an estimate, not a medical diagnosis or treatment advice; consult your physician or dietitian for decisions about your health.
Calculator
Result
Enter the values and press Calculate to see the result here.
About this tool
The waist-to-hip ratio is a simple indicator of abdominal fat. The report of the 2008 WHO expert consultation (Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio, 2011) states that the risk of metabolic complications is substantially increased at a ratio of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women.
Formulas
- Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference
- Difference to the cut-off = ratio − cut-off (men 0.90, women 0.85)
- Waist-to-height ratio = waist circumference ÷ height (guide value 0.5)
The waist circumference cut-offs from the same report are shown as a risk code: for men above 94 cm is increased and above 102 cm substantially increased risk; for women above 80 cm and above 88 cm. Keeping the waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 ("keep your waist to less than half your height") is a widely used guide value.
Example: a man with a 95 cm waist and 100 cm hips has a ratio of 0.95, which is 0.05 above the 0.90 cut-off. His waist exceeds 94 cm, so the waist risk code is 1. With a height of 180 cm the waist-to-height ratio is 0.53, 0.03 above the 0.5 guide value.
How to use
- Select your sex.
- Enter your waist and hip circumference in centimetres.
- Optionally enter your height for the waist-to-height ratio.
- Press Calculate.
Notes
Waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios are rounded to 2 decimal places (HALF_UP); the cut-off comparison and the difference use the rounded ratio (e.g. 0.895 → 0.90 → at the cut-off). If height is left at 0, the waist-to-height ratio and its difference are shown as 0.
Sources
References
- [1]
Frequently asked questions
According to WHO, values of 0.90 or more in men and 0.85 or more in women are associated with substantially increased metabolic risk. Values below these cut-offs indicate lower risk.
The WHO protocol measures at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, at the end of a normal breath out. The hips are measured around the widest part of the buttocks.
It is waist circumference divided by height. Values below 0.5 ("waist less than half your height") are widely used as a healthy guide value.
The waist circumference risk code is 0 for low, 1 for increased and 2 for substantially increased risk. The cut-offs are 94 and 102 cm for men and 80 and 88 cm for women.
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