Waist-To-Hip Ratio: Chart And How To Calculate

Medically reviewed by Gabrielle Kane, RDN, CSP, LD Gabrielle Kane Gabrielle KaneRDN, CSP, LD facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by , MSc (Biotechnology), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach Payal Karnik MSc (Biotechnology), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 2.5 years
Edited by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by , BTech (Biotechnology), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach Sindhu Koganti BTech (Biotechnology), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach linkedin_icon Experience: 6 years
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The waist-to-hip ratio helps you determine whether you have excess weight in your midsection, which may lead to several health risks. The waist-to-hip ratio calculator is a simple and easy tool to measure abdominal obesity and keep track of your health. Scroll down to check out the tool and learn more about it.

Gender

Waist measurement

Hip measurement

calculate

Your waist-hip ratio

Based upon a waist measurement of and hip measurement of

Classification

Low health risk

Moderate risk

High risk

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According to the WHO, a healthy waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is 0.80 or less for women and 0.90 or less for men (1). However, a WHR of 1 or more indicates abdominal obesity and a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and prostate cancer (2), (3), (4), (5).

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) helps you get a better idea of your health status, unlike BMI, which just gives an idea of overall body fat.

How To Calculate Waist-To-Hip Ratio

To calculate WHR, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Stand straight and measure the circumference of the smallest part of your waist, just above the belly button, with a measuring tape. Do not pull the measuring tape too tight.

Step 2: Measure the circumference of the widest part of your hip and glute region.

Step 3: Enter the waist and hip measurements in the tool and calculate.

Here is the waist-to-hip ratio chart for men and women to help you get a better idea:

Waist To Hip Ratio Chart:

Women

WHRDisease Risk
0.80 or lowerLow Risk
0.81 to 0.84Moderate Risk
0.85 or higherHigh Risk

Women tend to accumulate more fat in the abdominal, hip, and thigh regions compared to men (6). A waist-to-hip ratio below 0.80 is considered to pose a low health risk for them, while a value over 0.81 is considered moderate to high health risk. According to WHO, women with a higher WHR are at risk of developing hypertension, CVD, and diabetes type 2 and may have increased mortality rates (2), (3), (4),(7).

Men

WHRDisease Risk
0.90 and belowLow Risk
0.96 to 1.0Moderate Risk
1.0 or higherHigh Risk

Most men tend to accumulate fat in the abdomen area (8). A WHR value below 0.90 is ideal for them as it indicates lower abdominal fat. On the other hand, a value over 0.90 puts them at risk for developing CVD, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, and may increase mortality rate (2), (3), (4), (5), (7).

Tips To Reduce And Maintain Waist-To-Hip Ratio

If your wait-to-hip ratio is at the higher end, it’s time to take active measures to improve your lifestyle. Here are a few tips you may follow:

  • Talk to a doctor and a nutritionist to get a customized diet chart.
  • Ditch processed and fried foods. Consume whole grains, fiber-rich foods, and vegetables, and drink plenty of water.
  • Work out at least 3 hours a week. You may choose any form of physical exercise.
  • Go for strength training (under the supervision of a professional) at least twice a week.
  • Go on walks instead of running if you have knee pain.
  • Try hiking, trekking, or dancing to stay active.
  • Meditate regularly to remain stress-free.
  • Sleep for at least 7 hours a day.

When you consume more calories than the body can use, it stores that excess energy in the form of fat. The abdomen and the hip area is the most common place for fat accumulation. Staying active, exercising, and consuming a balanced diet will help reduce the excess fat and lower your wait-to-hip ratio. Use the tool to understand your risk factor, consult a doctor, and start making healthy changes in your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What waist-to-hip ratio is too low?

A waist-to-hip ratio below 0.55 is considered to be too low, as the ideal value ranges between 0.6-0.8 (1).

What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for a 5’6 woman?

Irrespective of height, women should ideally have a waist-to-hip ratio between 0.6-0.8.

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

    1. Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio Report of a WHO Expert Consultation.
      https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/44583/9789241501491_eng.pdf;jsessionid=B75820A2C301B29DA1FE75C7ADDE596B?sequence=1
    2. Is waist-to-hip ratio a better marker of cardiovascular risk than body mass index?
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1373709/
    3. Association of Waist-Hip Ratio With Diabetes Mellitus: Strength and Possible Modifiers
      https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/15/7/912/17653/Association-of-Waist-Hip-Ratio-With-Diabetes
    4. Waist-To-Height Ratio Is a More Accurate Tool for Predicting Hypertension Than Waist-To-Hip Circumference and BMI in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8529190/
    5. Waist-hip Ratio (WHR) a Better Predictor for Prostate Cancer than Body Mass Index (BMI): Results from a Chinese Hospital-based Biopsy Cohort
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5341100/
    6. Sex differences in human adipose tissues – the biology of pear shape
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411490/
    7. Waist-Hip-Ratio as a Predictor of All-Cause Mortality in High-Functioning Older Adults
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154008/
    8. Why Do Men Accumulate Abdominal Visceral Fat?
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6906176/

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    Gabrielle Kane
    Gabrielle KaneMS, RDN, CSP, LD
    Gabby is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 11 years of experience. She is also the founder of Peak Performance Nutrition LLC in Houston, Texas. She coaches both adults and children to their peak health using the power of sustainable lifestyle change.

    Read full bio of Gabrielle Kane
    Payal Karnik
    Payal KarnikSenior Health & Wellness Writer
    Payal Karnik is a senior health and wellness writer and a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach. She is a biotechnology graduate from the University of Mumbai with a keen interest in writing and a natural curiosity for science.

    Read full bio of Payal Karnik
    Arshiya Syeda
    Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
    Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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    Sindhu Koganti
    Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer
    Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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