Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Measure your proportions. Understand your waist-to-hip ratio.
Your waist-to-hip ratio
A lower WHR does not rule out cardiovascular or metabolic disease.
Two measurements. One useful ratio.
Tape goes around the body. The outline shows relative proportions only; it is not a body scan or a visceral-fat measurement.
Put your ratio in context
Illustrative male bands: below 0.90 · 0.90–<1.00 · 1.00 or above.
The WHO screening cut-off is 0.90 for men. A value at or above this level warrants a broader assessment, even if the illustrative guide says “moderate”.
Android (“apple”) describes more central fat distribution; gynoid (“pear”) describes more hip/thigh distribution. WHR alone cannot determine your body type or the amount of visceral fat.
Ruler: 0.60–1.20. Values beyond it remain visible numerically; the pointer stays at the nearest edge.
The method, clearly explained
80 cm ÷ 95 cm = 0.8421 → 0.84
The ratio has no unit. Calculations and threshold comparisons use the unrounded value. Changing cm to inches converts both measurements and preserves the ratio.
Measurement and interpretation limits
This adult screening tool is not intended for children or pregnancy. Age, ethnicity, body composition and clinical context affect interpretation. It does not calculate a personal heart-attack probability.
Repeat measurements with the same method and device. General software bounds: waist 30–250 cm, hips 40–250 cm. These input bounds are not healthy reference ranges.
Three-band guide, for illustration only: men <0.90, 0.90–<1.00, ≥1.00; women <0.80, 0.80–<0.85, ≥0.85. The female boundary at 0.85 is included in the upper band. This guide is not an official WHO three-tier classification.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I measure my waist?
Use the midpoint between the lower edge of the last palpable rib and the top of the hip bone. Keep the tape horizontal and take the reading after a normal breath out. A narrowest-waist or navel measurement is a different protocol.
Where should I measure my hips?
Around the widest part of your buttocks, with the tape level and without squeezing the skin. Waist and hip measurements must use the same length unit.
Does 0.84 mean the same thing for everyone?
The formula is identical, but adult screening cut-offs differ by sex. A ratio of 80/95 is below both the 0.90 male and 0.85 female cut-offs. The illustrative guide may place the same ratio in different coloured bands.
Is WHR a diagnosis of visceral fat or heart disease?
No. It is an indirect screening measure of fat distribution. A clinician considers blood pressure, glucose, lipids, smoking, family history and other information when evaluating cardiovascular risk.
Why can a displayed 0.90 still be below the cut-off?
The display is rounded to two decimals. For example, 0.899 is displayed as 0.90 but is still below 0.90. The threshold comparison always uses the unrounded ratio.
Are the three colour bands official WHO categories?
No. They are a separate illustrative guide. WHO screening cut-offs are shown independently so that the colour guide is not mistaken for an official three-category WHO risk classification.
