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WHR

General

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

The ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference, used by the WHO as a simple indicator of health risk linked to abdominal fat distribution.

Definition

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a simple health screening measure calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference. The World Health Organization uses WHR as an indicator of health risk associated with how body fat is distributed — specifically, whether fat is concentrated around the abdomen or around the hips and thighs.

Unlike BMI, which only accounts for overall weight relative to height, WHR captures a different dimension of body composition: fat distribution. Two people with identical BMI can have very different WHR values, and research suggests abdominal fat distribution carries distinct cardiovascular and metabolic risk implications independent of total body weight.

Formula

WHR = Waist Circumference ÷ Hip Circumference

WHO risk categories:

  • Men: Low risk < 0.90, Moderate risk 0.90–0.99, High risk ≥ 1.0
  • Women: Low risk < 0.80, Moderate risk 0.80–0.84, High risk ≥ 0.85

Worked Example

For a man with an 85 cm waist and 100 cm hips:

WHR = 85 ÷ 100 = 0.85

Since 0.85 falls below the 0.90 threshold for men, this is classified as Low Risk. Try the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator to check your own measurements against the WHO thresholds.

Key Things to Know

  • Gender-specific thresholds: the same WHR value means different things for men and women, since the risk cutoffs differ.
  • Captures fat distribution, not total fat: WHR complements rather than replaces BMI, since it measures a different aspect of body composition.
  • "Apple" vs "pear" shape: a higher WHR (more abdominal fat) is generally associated with greater health risk than a lower WHR (more hip/thigh fat) at similar body weight.
  • A screening tool, not a diagnosis: WHR is useful for general risk awareness but doesn't account for muscle mass, bone structure, or individual variation — it's best used alongside other health measures.

Related Calculators

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator →Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and see your health risk category based on WHO guidelines. Enter waist and hip measurements for an instant result.
BMI Calculator →Calculate your BMI instantly using kg/lbs and cm/ft. Includes BMI category and healthy weight range using WHO standards.
Body Fat Calculator →Calculate your body fat percentage using the accurate U.S. Navy method. Know your fat mass, lean mass, fitness category, and how much fat to lose.

Related Terms

BMIBody Mass IndexBMRBasal Metabolic Rate

Frequently Asked Questions

For men, a WHR below 0.90 is considered low risk; for women, a WHR below 0.80 is considered low risk, according to WHO guidelines. Higher ratios indicate progressively greater health risk linked to abdominal fat.
Men and women naturally store body fat differently — men tend to accumulate more around the abdomen, while women tend to store more around the hips and thighs — so the same ratio doesn't carry the same health implications for both. WHO's gender-specific thresholds account for this difference.
BMI measures overall body weight relative to height without indicating where fat is stored, while WHR specifically measures fat distribution between the waist and hips. Some research suggests WHR may better predict cardiovascular risk than BMI alone, since fat location matters independently of total body fat.
A high WHR indicates more fat stored around the abdomen relative to the hips — often described as an 'apple' body shape — which is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes compared to a 'pear' shape with fat concentrated around the hips.
Measure the waist at its narrowest point, typically just above the belly button, while standing relaxed. Measure the hips at their widest point, around the buttocks. Use a flexible tape measure kept level and snug but not tight.