Body Composition
Waist-to-hip ratio
The definition. Divide one circumference by the other; because both are lengths, the result is dimensionless.
The Formula
WHR = waist / hip
The definition. Divide one circumference by the other; because both are lengths, the result is dimensionless.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| waist | Waist circumference | length | Measured at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone. In the worked case this is 80 cm. |
| hip | Hip circumference | length | Measured at the widest point of the buttocks. In the worked case this is 100 cm. |
| WHR | Waist-to-hip ratio | dimensionless | 80 / 100 = 0.8. Compared against 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women. |
What Each Symbol Means
waistlength
Waist circumference
Measured at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone. In the worked case this is 80 cm.
hiplength
Hip circumference
Measured at the widest point of the buttocks. In the worked case this is 100 cm.
WHRdimensionless
Waist-to-hip ratio
80 / 100 = 0.8. Compared against 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate waist to hip ratio page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Waist To Hip Ratio, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.