Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator

Calculator created by Jeff Burmann, NSCA-CPT. Questions? Email Jeff

About:

The waist to hip ratio is used to assess risk of morbidity (sickness and disease) and mortality (death) especially to cardiovascular disease.  Greater fat distribution in the abdomen increases the ratio and risk of disease.  This method of measure is more accurate than the BMI in assessing disease risk since it accounts for fat distribution, not just height and weight.

Disease Risk: Everyone is at some risk of developing heart disease. People are either at a low, moderate, high, or very high risk. If you are at an increased risk based on the waist to hip ratio, it would be beneficial to start a weight loss program. If you aren’t sure where to start, talk to your doctor and find a qualified fitness professional to assist you.

You’ll Need:

The only thing you’ll need is a soft, easily bendable tape measure. We prefer Gulick Anthropometric Tape because you can read it’s resistance on the skin for the perfect tension while taking a measure.

How To:

The equation used for males and females is exactly the same. All you’ll need to do is get a tape measure and measure the following areas.

Circumference measure of the waist.

Waist circumference measurement. This is the narrowest part of the torso.


Circumference measure of the hips.

Hip circumference measurement. This should be taken at the widest part of your glutes.