How to Measure Waist, Hip and Height
Measure your waist with a level tape midway between your lower ribs and the top of your hips, after breathing out normally. Use the same units for waist and height. Consistent technique matters more than reporting extra decimal places.
Updated 15 October 2026 · Educational guidance
| Measure | Example inputs | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Waist-to-height | Waist 85 cm; height 170 cm | 85 / 170 = 0.50 |
| Waist-to-hip | Waist 85 cm; hips 100 cm | 85 / 100 = 0.85 |
Measure your waist
Stand comfortably and find the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hip bones. Place a flexible tape around the midpoint, parallel to the floor. Keep it close to the skin without compressing it. Breathe normally and read after a normal outward breath.
Do not pull the abdomen inward or use the trouser waistband as the measurement line. Clothing and a sloping tape can change the reading. If the tape twists or moves, reposition it and repeat.
Measure your hips and height
For hip circumference, place the tape around the widest part of the hips and buttocks and keep it level. For height, remove shoes and stand upright against a flat vertical surface, looking ahead. Record the measurement in the same unit used for the waist.
Ask another person to help if it is difficult to keep the tape horizontal. Record the method and date so a later result can be compared fairly.
Calculate the ratio
Waist-to-height ratio is waist circumference divided by height. An 85 cm waist and 170 cm height give 85 ÷ 170 = 0.50. That calculation uses centimetres in both places; dividing centimetres by feet would give a meaningless result.
Waist-to-hip ratio uses hip circumference as the denominator instead. These measures answer different screening questions and should not be substituted for one another.
Use the number with context
The result is a screening measurement, not a diagnosis. Pregnancy, age and other circumstances may make a simple adult comparison inappropriate. If a change is unexpected, check technique first and discuss it with a healthcare professional. Avoid measuring repeatedly through the day and interpreting normal variation as a health event.
Frequently asked questions
Can I measure over clothes?
Measuring close to the skin avoids adding fabric thickness. Keep the method consistent.
Should I hold my breath?
No. Read after breathing out normally, without pulling the abdomen inward.
Is the ratio a diagnosis?
No. It is a screening measure to discuss alongside other risk factors and measurements.
Sources
Educational information only. A calculator or a guide cannot diagnose a condition. Discuss concerning symptoms or results with a qualified healthcare professional.