Waist to Hip Calculator

Entering Your Information

Studies have shown that the shape of your body can be correlated to higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. By measuring the ratio of your waist size to your hip size, you can use our calculator to determine your body type and levels of risk.

The data used to derive the waist-to-hip results was taken from middle-aged men and women. The calculator may not apply to young children, the elderly, or pregnant women.

Measure Yourself First

To use the calculator, you need current measurements for your waist and hips. So, get out that measuring tape!

When measuring around your waist, measure the narrowest part of your torso. If you can't find it, measure around yourself at your belly button. No sucking in!

To measure your hips, wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips.

Studies have shown that the shape of your body can be correlated to higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. By measuring the ratio of your waist size to your hip sizes, you can use our calculator to determine your body type and levels of risk.

The data used to derive the waist-to-hip results was taken from middle-aged men and women. The calculator may not apply to young children, the elderly, or pregnant women.

1. Select if you are measuring in inches or centimeters from the drop-down list.

2. Click and enter your waist size in the appropriate box.

3. Click and enter your hip size in the next box.

4. Click Male or Female.

5. When you have finished entering your information, click CALCULATE SUBMIT.

More About This Tool

Did you know that the size of your waist in relation to the size of your hips can help determine your risk for diabetes, and other conditions? In general, the higher your waist-hip ratio is, the higher your health risks may be, regardless of how tall or big-boned you are. Find out if you are at risk.

Interpreting the Results

On the results page, you can read about your body type and the specific risks associated with it.

pear shape Pear-shaped people tend to acquire fat on their hips where it is least harmful to one's health. For women, a W-T-H ratio of 0.72 or less indicates a pear-shaped figure. For men, the ratio is 0.91 or less.

apple shape Apple shapes gather fat at their waist and in their torso. A W-T-H ratio of 0.88 or higher in women and a ratio of 0.98 or higher in men indicate an apple shape. Apple-shaped people are at a higher risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and overall mortality.

squash shape Squash shapes are in between pears and apples in measurement and risk for these conditions. Squash-shaped women range from 0.73 to 0.87. Squash-shaped men lie between 0.92 and 0.97.

Please see the results page for more detailed information and guidelines.

Three body shapes are used to indicate health risks: pear-shaped, squash-shaped, and apple-shaped. The pear has the least amount of fat around the abdomen. The squash has slightly more. And the apple has the most intra-abdominal fat compared to the other two.

Review Date: 6/20/2008

Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief of Future Health, A.D.A.M., Inc. (6/9/2006)