Two people can carry the same amount of fat and face different health risks, depending on where that fat sits. The waist-to-hip ratio captures this — and it picks up something BMI completely misses.
TL;DR — Measure your waist and hips, then enter them in the waist-to-hip ratio calculator to see your ratio and risk band.
Why fat distribution matters
Fat stored around the abdomen — “apple” shape — sits close to your organs and is more strongly linked to metabolic and heart risks than fat carried on the hips and thighs — “pear” shape. The waist-to-hip ratio is a simple way to capture this pattern from two tape measurements.
How to measure
Take your waist at its narrowest point, usually just above the navel, and your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug without compressing the skin, stand relaxed, and breathe normally. Divide waist by hip to get the ratio.
Reading the bands
The World Health Organization associates higher risk with ratios above roughly 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. A lower ratio suggests a more hip-weighted distribution. Like every single measurement, it is one indicator among many — useful alongside your BMI and body fat, and best discussed with a clinician if you have concerns. Check yours in the waist-to-hip ratio calculator.