Body Shape Calculator
Identify your body shape from bust, waist, and hip measurements.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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Request a ToolHow to Use the Body Shape Calculator
This calculator determines your body shape category from three circumference measurements. For accurate results, take measurements with a flexible tape measure held snugly but not compressing the skin.
- Choose your unit. Select inches for U.S. standard measurements or centimeters for metric.
- Measure your bust. Measure around the fullest part of the chest, typically at nipple level, keeping the tape horizontal.
- Measure your waist. Measure at the narrowest point of the torso, usually about an inch above the navel. Do not suck in.
- Measure your hips. Measure around the fullest part of the hips and buttocks, typically 7 to 9 inches below the natural waist.
- Read your result. The calculator returns your shape category and the three key ratios used to determine it.
About the Five Body Shape Categories
Body shape classification is based on the proportional relationships between bust, waist, and hip measurements. The five categories describe where the body tends to carry weight and how proportions are distributed.
The hourglass shape has roughly equal bust and hip measurements with a waist at least 9 to 10 inches smaller. The pear (also called triangle) has hips noticeably wider than the bust. The apple (inverted triangle in some systems) carries more weight around the midsection, with the waist close to or larger than the hips. The rectangle (banana) has bust, waist, and hips within about 5 percent of each other. The inverted triangle has shoulders and bust broader than the hips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my waist correctly?
Measure your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your torso, typically 1 to 2 inches above your navel. Stand up straight, exhale normally, and then measure. Do not hold your breath or pull in your stomach. The tape should be snug but not compressing the skin. Take the measurement at the same time of day and in the same position for consistent tracking.
Can body shape change with exercise?
Yes, within limits. Exercise can redistribute body composition, reducing waist measurement through fat loss and increasing shoulder and hip measurement through muscle development. However, skeletal structure, particularly the width of the shoulders and hip bones, cannot change with exercise. You can shift between adjacent categories (for example from rectangle toward hourglass by building glutes and reducing waist) but cannot fundamentally change your bone structure.
What does the bust-to-waist ratio indicate?
The bust-to-waist ratio measures the relative difference between the chest and the midsection. A higher ratio indicates a more defined waist relative to the bust. For an hourglass shape, this ratio is typically above 1.3, meaning the bust is at least 30 percent larger than the waist measurement. The hip-to-waist ratio is similarly used in health research as a proxy for abdominal fat distribution.
Are any body shapes healthier than others?
The apple shape, characterized by fat stored in the abdominal region (visceral fat), is associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease compared to fat stored in the hips and thighs (the pear pattern). A waist circumference above 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is a clinical risk marker regardless of BMI. This is why waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference are used in medical screening. The other shape categories (hourglass, pear, rectangle, inverted triangle) do not carry significantly different health risks on their own.