Three indicators
Waist-to-hip ratio, waist size and waist-to-height ratio, each with its risk level.
Health & wellness
Waist-to-hip ratio calculator
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHO cut-offs), waist circumference (WHO levels) and waist-to-height ratio (NICE 2022) to spot abdominal fat.
Waist and hips
The result appears as soon as both measurements are entered. Height, optional, adds the waist-to-height ratio.
Sex used for the cut-offs
Halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out normally.
Around the widest part of the buttocks, feet together.
Height (optional)
Your height adds the waist-to-height ratio, recommended by NICE since 2022.
Your fat distribution
Waist-to-hip ratio
Waist
Waist-to-height ratio
These three indicators measure abdominal fat, more closely linked with heart disease and type 2 diabetes than weight alone. They add to BMI without making a diagnosis.
Calculate my BMIBMI places your weight against your height; together with waist size, it gives a better view of risk.Method & sources
The waist-to-hip ratio divides waist by hips; the WHO sees risk as substantially increased from 0.90 in men and 0.85 in women. Waist size is read against the WHO levels (94 and 102 cm, 37 and 40 in, for men; 80 and 88 cm, 31.5 and 34.6 in, for women). With height, the waist-to-height ratio is read against the NICE levels of 0.5 and 0.6.
Formula
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist ÷ hips · Waist-to-height ratio = waist ÷ heightLimitations
- The result depends a lot on where and how carefully the measurements are taken.
- The cut-offs were set mostly in European populations; they can be lower for people of Asian descent.
- These indicators do not directly describe total fat mass or body composition.
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How does this tool work?
The waist-to-hip ratio shows where your body stores fat: around the belly, it is more closely linked with heart disease. This calculator gives your waist-to-hip ratio and your waist size level according to the WHO and, if you enter your height, the waist-to-height ratio NICE has recommended since 2022.
Choose the sex used for the cut-offs, then measure your waist and hips in inches or centimetres: the indicators appear straight away, each with its risk level. Add your height to get the waist-to-height ratio.
The waist-to-hip ratio is compared with the WHO cut-off (0.90 for men, 0.85 for women), waist size with its two levels of increased and high risk, and the waist-to-height ratio with the NICE levels of 0.5 and 0.6.
How to use this tool
Measure your waist
Standing, halfway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out normally.
Measure your hips
Around the widest part of the buttocks, with the tape level and not too tight.
Add your height if you wish
You get the waist-to-height ratio, easy to remember: keep your waist under half your height.
Good to know
WHO and NICE cut-offs
The official references shown next to each result, by sex.
Inches or centimetres
The values you typed are converted when you switch units.
Abdominal fat references
Three simple measurements to gauge abdominal fat, read against the WHO and NICE cut-offs.
Waist-to-hip ratio
waist ÷ hips (WHO cut-offs: 0.90 men, 0.85 women)
Waist size
Men: increased from 37 in (94 cm), high from 40 in (102 cm) · Women: increased from 31.5 in (80 cm), high from 34.6 in (88 cm)
Waist-to-height ratio
waist ÷ height (NICE: increased from 0.5, high from 0.6)
These references help spot a risk; they do not replace a medical assessment.
Use cases
Spot abdominal fat
Find out whether your waist size falls in a low, increased or high risk zone.
Add to your BMI
At the same BMI, a larger waist points to a higher heart disease risk.
Track progress
Measure yourself every few weeks to follow fat distribution, not just weight.
Tips and best practices
- Measure in the morning, before eating, on bare skin and always at the same place to compare results.
- Keep the tape level and flat, without pressing into the skin.
- Remember the NICE rule: a waist under half your height is a good reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my waist-to-hip ratio?
Divide your waist by your hips, in the same unit. For example, a 32 in waist and 40 in hips give 0.80.
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
According to the WHO, risk is substantially increased from 0.85 in women and 0.90 in men. Below those cut-offs, the ratio is considered favourable.
What waist size is too big?
The WHO sets increased risk from 31.5 in (80 cm) for women and 37 in (94 cm) for men, and high risk from 34.6 in (88 cm) and 40 in (102 cm). These levels apply mainly to European populations.
What is the waist-to-height ratio?
It is your waist divided by your height. Since 2022 NICE has recommended keeping it under 0.5: in other words, a waist under half your height. From 0.5 to 0.59 the risk is increased, from 0.6 it is high.
Where exactly should I measure my waist?
Standing, halfway between the bottom of the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, after breathing out normally. It is not always at the belly button.
Why does waist size matter as much as weight?
Abdominal, or visceral, fat surrounds the organs and raises the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Two people with the same BMI can therefore have different risks.
Do these cut-offs apply to everyone?
No. They are for adults and were set mostly in European populations; they are lower for people of Asian descent and do not apply to children or during pregnancy.
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