Same weight, different places fat can sit
BMI only looks at height and weight. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) looks at whether fat is carried around the abdomen or around the hips and thighs instead — and abdominal (visceral) fat is more closely linked to metabolic disease risk.
Where you measure changes the result
Measure your waist at the midpoint between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone, and your hips at the widest point of your buttocks, both with the tape held level. Measuring right after breathing out normally keeps the numbers consistent.
These are WHO thresholds
The World Health Organization considers a WHR above 0.90 for men or above 0.85 for women to carry increased health risk from abdominal fat. This calculator gives a reference estimate only — actual health status should be assessed using multiple measures together.
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Frequently asked questions
QCan WHR be high even with a normal BMI?
Yes. BMI doesn't account for where fat is distributed. Someone can have a normal BMI but still carry more visceral fat around the abdomen — sometimes called "skinny fat" — which shows up as a higher WHR.
QDo I measure at the belly button?
No — measure at the midpoint between the bottom of your rib cage and the top of your hip bone, not at the belly button. Depending on body shape, that point can be noticeably different from where the navel sits.
QCan I just use waist circumference alone instead of WHR?
Waist circumference alone (commonly 90cm for men, 85cm for women, with variation by country) is also widely used. WHR adjusts for hip size, which makes it somewhat more comparable across people with different heights and frames.