Waist-to-Hip Ratio Chart: Complete Reference Guide
Complete WHR reference tables for men and women with risk categories, age-specific considerations, ethnicity factors, and visual charts.
WHR Guides & Articles
Comprehensive guides on waist-to-hip ratio, measurement techniques, health risks, and body composition. Backed by research from the WHO, INTERHEART study, and peer-reviewed studies. Use our free WHR calculator to assess your results, or read about the science behind it.
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How to Measure Waist-to-Hip Ratio Accurately
Step-by-step measurement guide with common mistakes, professional protocols, consistency tips, and a quick-reference checklist.
WHR for Men: Health Risks & Improvement Strategies
Men-specific WHR thresholds, testosterone connection, age-based ranges, exercise recommendations, and dietary strategies.
WHR Formula Explained with Examples
The math behind WHR calculation, worked examples, practice problems, common mistakes, and related health formulas compared.
Ideal WHR: What to Aim For
Optimal WHR values for health and aesthetics, life-stage targets, realistic timelines, and strategies to reach your ideal ratio.
Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) Guide
Complete WHtR guide: the formula, the universal 0.5 threshold, target waist tables, and how WHtR compares to WHR and BMI.
BMI vs WHR: Which is Better?
Head-to-head comparison of BMI and WHR with research findings, scenario analysis, and when to use each measurement.
Body Shape Calculator: Know Your Body Type
Determine if you're hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle. Health implications and fitness tips for each shape.
WHR Health Risks: What High WHR Means
Deep dive into cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions linked to high WHR, with risk charts and reduction strategies.
WHR for Women: Hormones, Life Stages & Health
Women-specific WHR guide covering hormonal effects, menopause, PCOS, fertility, and tailored improvement strategies.
Calculate Your WHR Now
Use our free calculator to determine your waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, BMI, or body shape.
Reading Paths: Where to Start
Not sure which article to read first? Pick a path that matches your goal and follow the recommended reading order.
Beginner Path
New to waist-to-hip ratio? Start here to build a solid foundation. Learn the correct measurement technique, understand what the numbers mean on a chart, and then explore the health implications.
1. How to Measure WHR → 2. WHR Chart → 3. Health Risks
Health-Focused Path
Already know your ratio and want to understand the medical significance? Dive into condition-specific risks, see how WHR compares to BMI for predicting disease, and find out what optimal values to target.
1. Health Risks → 2. BMI vs WHR → 3. Ideal WHR
Gender-Specific Path
Men and women carry fat differently and face different risks. Start with the guide written for your sex, review the threshold chart, then set a personal target ratio based on your life stage.
1. WHR for Women / WHR for Men → 2. WHR Chart → 3. Ideal WHR
All articles are grounded in research from sources such as the CDC obesity data and the Mayo Clinic. Have questions about the site? Visit our About or Contact pages.
Article Quick Reference
Use the table below to find the right guide for your needs at a glance. Every article is free, with no sign-up required.
| Article | Best For | Reading Time | Topic Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHR Chart | Looking up risk categories by sex and age | 10 min | Reference |
| How to Measure WHR | Getting accurate, repeatable measurements at home | 8 min | How-To |
| WHR for Men | Male-specific thresholds, testosterone, and exercise plans | 9 min | Men's Health |
| WHR Formula | Understanding the math, worked examples, and practice problems | 7 min | Reference |
| Ideal WHR | Setting realistic targets by life stage and body type | 8 min | Health |
| WHtR Guide | Exploring the waist-to-height ratio and the 0.5 threshold | 8 min | Calculator |
| BMI vs WHR | Deciding which metric matters more for your situation | 9 min | Comparison |
| Body Shape Calculator | Determining your body type and its health implications | 9 min | Body Shape |
| WHR Health Risks | Cardiovascular, diabetes, and cancer risk linked to high WHR | 9 min | Health |
| WHR for Women | Hormonal effects, menopause, PCOS, and fertility considerations | 9 min | Women's Health |
Reading times are estimates based on an average reading speed of 200-250 words per minute. Sources: CDC Obesity Resources, Mayo Clinic.
Why These Guides?
Numbers from a calculator only matter if you understand what they mean and how to act on them. These guides exist to bridge the gap between raw metrics and informed health decisions.
Every article is grounded in peer-reviewed research from sources including the World Health Organization, the INTERHEART study, and meta-analyses from the Harvard School of Public Health. We cite specific studies, link to PubMed abstracts, and present data in tables and visual charts so you can evaluate the evidence yourself.
Our content covers four key areas:
- Reference guides — charts, thresholds, and formulas for quick lookup (WHR Chart, Formula)
- How-to guides — step-by-step measurement instructions for reliable results (Measurement Guide)
- Health deep-dives — condition-specific risk analysis with data tables (Health Risks, Ideal WHR)
- Comparisons — head-to-head metric analysis with research citations (BMI vs WHR, WHtR Guide)