Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator for Nutrition. A dimensionless ratio summarizes distribution, not the amount of body fat or an individual's absolute cardiovascular risk. This page does not assign universal low/high risk bands.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

Waist-to-hip ratio is waist circumference divided by hip circumference. WHO's measurement and population-context report is at https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491.

When to use this calculator

Check a recorded anthropometric ratio. Use a consistent measurement protocol and retain both original measurements. This calculation does not require a sex selection, but interpretation of health associations does require population context.

Inputs used

  • Waist circumference
  • Hip circumference
  • Both in cm or both in inches

Clinical interpretation

A dimensionless ratio summarizes distribution, not the amount of body fat or an individual's absolute cardiovascular risk. This page does not assign universal low/high risk bands.

Worked example

Waist 85 cm and hip 100 cm give 0.850. Entering 33.4646 and 39.3701 inches gives approximately the same ratio after conversion. Dividing 85 cm by 39.37 inches without conversion gives a meaningless 2.159.

Limitations and safety notes

Measurement site, tape technique, age, sex and ethnicity affect comparisons. Pregnancy and other changes in abdominal shape require different clinical context. Do not confuse this with waist-to-height ratio, which has a different denominator.

Frequently asked questions

Why retain waist and hip rather than just the ratio?

Two very different pairs, such as 85/100 and 102/120, both yield 0.850. The ratio alone loses size information.

References

  • WHO expert consultation, measurement and variation by sex, age and ethnicity, 2011. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241501491

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

  • Prefer original validation studies for scoring systems and prediction tools.
  • Use current specialty society guidance, transplant allocation policy, public health guidance, or regulator resources when they govern clinical use.
  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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