Waist to Height and Hip Ratio Calculator
Enter your height and waist. Add your hips if you would like the waist to hip ratio as well. The page shows both against published ranges.
This is an estimate for general information and is not medical advice. It is a screening guide for adults and does not replace a check with your GP or nurse.
Worked examples
Waist 84, height 172
Height 172 cm, waist 84 cm
Ratio 0.49, below 0.5
84 divided by 172. Half the height is 86 cm.
Waist 85, hips 100
Woman, waist 85 cm, hips 100 cm
Waist to hip ratio 0.85, at the WHO reference
85 divided by 100.
About Waist to Height and Hip Ratio Calculator
The waist to height ratio is your waist measurement divided by your height. The idea behind it is simple: keep your waist to less than half your height. NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, uses it in its guidance on overweight and obesity for adults with a BMI under 35. A ratio of 0.4 to 0.49 suggests no increased risk, 0.5 to 0.59 an increased risk, and 0.6 or more a high risk.
Because it uses your own height, the measure works across builds and needs no separate charts. If you also enter your hips, the page works out your waist to hip ratio, which shows how weight is spread around your body. The World Health Organization uses 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women as the point where health risk rises. These are screening guides, not a diagnosis, and this is an estimate and not medical advice.
How to use Waist to Height and Hip Ratio Calculator
- Choose metric or imperial units and your sex.
- Enter your height and your waist, measured halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone.
- Add your hips at the widest part if you would like the waist to hip ratio.
- Read your ratios and compare your waist with half your height.
Common uses
- Setting a waist target that suits your height
- Tracking body shape alongside weight
- Comparing two measurement dates
- Preparing for a conversation with your GP or nurse
Frequently asked questions
What is a good waist to height ratio?
NICE describes 0.4 to 0.49 as no increased risk. A ratio of 0.5 to 0.59 shows increased central fat and 0.6 or more shows high central fat. The ranges are used for adults with a BMI under 35.
How do I find half my height?
Divide your height by two, in the same units as your waist. For someone 172 cm tall, half is 86 cm. The page shows this for you in cm or inches.
How do I calculate waist to hip ratio?
Divide your waist by your hips, using the same units. A waist of 85 cm and hips of 100 cm give 0.85. The WHO reference points are 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.
Where do I measure my waist?
Stand relaxed and find the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone. Wrap the tape around level, snug but not tight, and read it after breathing out.
What if my ratio is high?
It does not mean you have a condition. It is one piece of information. Speak to your GP or practice nurse if you have questions. This is an estimate and not medical advice.