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Calculates Waist-to-Hip Ratio to assess central adiposity and cardiovascular risk.
Clinical decision-support tool for qualified healthcare professionals. Results are not a diagnosis and should not replace professional clinical judgment.
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) quantifies central adiposity by comparing waist circumference to hip circumference. A higher ratio indicates proportionally greater abdominal fat deposition, which is an independent predictor of cardiometabolic risk including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality, even after adjusting for body mass index. Risk thresholds differ by sex. In males, a WHR below 0.90 is low risk, 0.90–0.99 is moderate risk, and ≥1.0 is high risk. In females, a WHR below 0.85 is low risk and ≥0.85 indicates increased cardiometabolic risk. These cutoffs are based on WHO expert consultation recommendations and represent population-level risk stratification rather than individual diagnostic thresholds. Limitations: WHR is sensitive to measurement technique; the waist should be measured at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the iliac crest, and the hip at the widest point of the buttocks, with consistent positioning and tape tension. Results may vary with age, ethnicity, and body composition. WHR does not distinguish between subcutaneous and visceral fat, does not directly measure insulin resistance or lipid profiles, and should be interpreted alongside other clinical and metabolic assessments. It is a screening and risk-stratification tool, not a diagnostic test.
Specialty
General MedicineCategory
AnthropometryDifficulty
Basic
Estimated Time
30 seconds
Version
1.0
Last Updated
2026-08-05
Formula
Keywords
Normal Range
Males: <0.90; Females: <0.85
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
Low risk (Males) | <0.90 |
Moderate risk (Males) | 0.90–0.99 |
High risk (Males) | ≥1.0 |
Low risk (Females) | <0.85 |
Increased risk (Females) | ≥0.85 |
Calculates waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to assess central adiposity and cardiovascular risk.
Waist-to-hip ratio = waist circumference / hip circumference. Risk thresholds are sex-specific.
Waist circumference in cm, used as the numerator.
Hip circumference in cm, used as the denominator.
Biological sex, used to apply sex-specific risk thresholds for central adiposity.
WHR classifies central adiposity and risk using sex-specific thresholds. For males, <0.90 is low risk, 0.90–0.99 moderate risk, and ≥1.0 high risk. For females, WHO thresholds are <0.85 low risk and ≥0.85 increased risk.
Waist-to-hip ratio captures central adiposity, which is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, complementing BMI in risk assessment.
A 48-year-old man has a waist circumference of 95 cm and hip circumference of 100 cm.
Inputs:
Expected Result: WHR = 95 / 100 = 0.95 — moderate cardiovascular risk for a male.
WHR measures the distribution of body fat — specifically central or abdominal adiposity, which is a strong predictor of cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
For males, WHR <0.90 is low risk, 0.90–0.99 moderate risk, and ≥1.0 high risk. For females, WHO defines <0.85 as low risk and ≥0.85 as increased risk.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for educational and clinical decision support purposes only. WHR should be interpreted alongside other cardiovascular risk factors.