Waist-to-Hip Ratio
{{ ratio.toFixed(2) }}
{{ classification }}
Interpretation

Ratio {{ ratio.toFixed(2) }} is {{ classification }} risk by WHO cut-offs.

Categories: Calculator , Health & Fitness
Export to PDF Fullscreen

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) compares abdominal girth with hip circumference, offering a quick lens on central adiposity that correlates strongly with cardiometabolic risk. Accurate, consistent tape placement is vital because a few centimetres can shift risk bands.

This calculator converts centimetres or inches, computes WHR to four decimals, then assigns Low, Moderate, or High risk using World Health Organization sex-specific cut-offs. A colour-coded gauge visualises position within ranges.

Use it during lifestyle consultations or personal tracking to flag whether body-shape changes alter risk status. This calculator offers informational estimates, not medical advice.

Technical Details:

Foundational Principles

Visceral adipose tissue accumulated around the abdomen raises insulin resistance and inflammatory markers more than gluteofemoral fat. WHR therefore outperforms body-mass index when predicting myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes across ethnicities. Sex matters because hormonal profiles drive different fat-storage patterns; hence distinct thresholds.

Formula Overview

WHR=Waist‑CircumferenceHip‑Circumference

Variables & Parameters

SymbolMeaningUnitTypical RangeSensitivity
WWaist circumference at navelcm / in60 – 150 cmHigh
HHip circumference at widest pointcm / in70 – 160 cmHigh
RComputed WHR–0.60 – 1.30N/A
SexBiological sexfemale / male–Thresholds

Scoring & Categorisation

  • Female: Low < 0.80, Moderate 0.80 – 0.84, High ≥ 0.85
  • Male: Low < 0.90, Moderate 0.90 – 0.99, High ≥ 1.00

Representative Calculations

Example 1 – Female
WHR= 78100 =0.78

Result 0.78 → Low risk.

Example 2 – Male
WHR= 10296 =1.06

Result 1.06 → High risk.

Edge Cases & Assumptions

  • No rounding occurs until final display → greater precision.
  • Zero or negative values return a null result.
  • Units convert at 1 in = 2.54 cm; conversion is lossless.
  • Ratios above 1.30 trigger coloured gauge saturation but remain calculable.

Performance & Stability

The computation is O(1); numerical operations use IEEE-754 double precision, preserving four-decimal accuracy. All processing stays in the browser; a lightweight reactive engine updates both text summary and an interactive gauge chart without server calls.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps to obtain your ratio and risk band.

  1. Select your sex from the Sex menu.
  2. Measure waist at the narrowest point; enter the value and choose centimetres or inches.
  3. Measure hips at the widest point; complete both fields.
  4. Review the displayed ratio and coloured badge. Switch to the Gauge Chart tab for visual context.
  5. Seek professional advice if classification is High.

FAQ:

Why use WHR?

It captures fat distribution, a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than weight or BMI alone.

How accurate are cut-offs?

Thresholds stem from large WHO cohorts; however, individual factors like ethnicity or age can shift true risk.

Is my data stored?

No. All inputs stay in your browser session and vanish once the page is closed.

Why four decimal places?

Displaying four decimals avoids rounding drift when values hover near classification boundaries.

Which tape measure works best?

A non-stretch, flexible cloth tape provides the most consistent circumference readings.

Glossary:

Central adiposity
Fat stored around abdominal organs.
Visceral fat
Fat beneath abdominal muscle wall, metabolically active.
Gluteofemoral fat
Fat around hips and thighs, considered protective.
Anthropometry
Scientific measurement of body dimensions.
Cardiometabolic risk
Probability of heart disease and metabolic disorders.
No data is transmitted or stored server-side.
Embed this tool into your website using the following code: