UNDERSTAND THE METHOD
How to use this calculator
Measure the waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip. Measure the hips at their widest point. Divide waist circumference by hip circumference. Keep both values in the same unit system.
What the result can tell you
This adult screening ratio does not measure body-fat percentage. Thresholds vary with population and measurement method. A value below a threshold does not establish low overall health risk. Do not apply the adult interpretation to children or pregnancy.
Waist-to-hip ratio chart for women and men: cut-offs and waist by hip size
The waist-to-hip ratio cut-offs often attributed to WHO are 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. The report of a 2008 WHO expert consultation (published 2011) lists a ratio at or above them as a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications, and the calculator compares your result with the same numbers. For hips of 40 in, that is a waist of 36 in for a man and 34 in for a woman. For hips of 100 cm, it is 90 cm and 85 cm.
Cut-off points and risk of metabolic complications, Table A1 of the WHO report
| Measure | Men | Women | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist-to-hip ratio | 0.90 or more | 0.85 or more | Substantially increased |
| Waist circumference | Over 94 cm (about 37 in) | Over 80 cm (about 31 in) | Increased |
| Waist circumference | Over 102 cm (about 40 in) | Over 88 cm (about 35 in) | Substantially increased |
The two tables below give the waist at which the ratio reaches the cut-off for a given hip measurement. A waist below the number keeps the ratio under the cut-off. Use the same unit for both tapes. The ratio has no unit, so inches and centimetres give the same answer.
Waist at the cut-off, by hip size in inches
| Hips (in) | Waist at 0.90, men | Waist at 0.85, women |
|---|---|---|
| 32 in | 28.8 in | 27.2 in |
| 34 in | 30.6 in | 28.9 in |
| 36 in | 32.4 in | 30.6 in |
| 38 in | 34.2 in | 32.3 in |
| 40 in | 36.0 in | 34.0 in |
| 42 in | 37.8 in | 35.7 in |
| 44 in | 39.6 in | 37.4 in |
| 46 in | 41.4 in | 39.1 in |
| 48 in | 43.2 in | 40.8 in |
| 50 in | 45.0 in | 42.5 in |
Waist at the cut-off, by hip size in centimetres
| Hips (cm) | Waist at 0.90, men | Waist at 0.85, women |
|---|---|---|
| 80 cm | 72.0 cm | 68.0 cm |
| 85 cm | 76.5 cm | 72.25 cm |
| 90 cm | 81.0 cm | 76.5 cm |
| 95 cm | 85.5 cm | 80.75 cm |
| 100 cm | 90.0 cm | 85.0 cm |
| 105 cm | 94.5 cm | 89.25 cm |
| 110 cm | 99.0 cm | 93.5 cm |
| 115 cm | 103.5 cm | 97.75 cm |
| 120 cm | 108.0 cm | 102.0 cm |
| 125 cm | 112.5 cm | 106.25 cm |
| 130 cm | 117.0 cm | 110.5 cm |
These are adult screening cut-offs, not targets. A ratio below the cut-off does not show low overall health risk, and the adult numbers do not apply to children or during pregnancy. Measure the hips around the widest part of the buttocks with the tape level, as the WHO protocol describes, and the waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone.
Common questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio for a woman and for a man?
There is no single healthy number, but the cut-offs often attributed to WHO are 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men. The report of a 2008 WHO expert consultation lists a ratio at or above them as a substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. For hips of 40 in, the ratio reaches the cut-off at a waist of 34 in for a woman and 36 in for a man. A ratio below the cut-off does not show low overall risk, and the adult cut-offs do not apply to children or during pregnancy.
Where should I measure waist and hips?
Measure waist midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip. Measure hips around the widest part of the buttocks. Keep both measurements in the same unit system.
Does waist-to-hip ratio measure body fat?
No. It is an adult screening ratio. Thresholds vary with population and measurement method, and the adult interpretation is not for children or pregnancy.
Sources & limitations1 source
Sources checked September 12, 2026. These notes identify methods and assumptions. They have not received an independent clinical review.