What is my body type from measurements?

Enter bust, natural waist, high hip (~18 cm below waist), and fullest hip in cm or inches. The tool converts to inches and applies seven clothing-science rules in priority order. Default 90/60/80/90 cm → Hourglass with WHR 0.67. If you only need waist ÷ hip without shape labels, use our waist-to-hip ratio calculator at /calculators/fitness-lifestyle/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator.

What is a body type calculator and how does it work?

A body type calculator compares four circumferences — bust, waist, high hip, and hip — to classify your silhouette into one of seven shapes from clothing-science research (Lee et al., International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology). Default example (90 / 60 / 80 / 90 cm): Hourglass with WHR 0.67 (waist 23.6″ ÷ hip 35.4″). It also returns inch deltas (bust−hip 0″, hip−waist 11.8″) so you can see which rule fired.

How do I measure bust, waist, high hip, and hips accurately?

Stand relaxed, arms at sides, in fitted underwear or a well-fitted bra. Bust: fullest chest. Waist: smallest natural waist (often just above the navel). High hip: upper hip swell ~7 in (18 cm) below the waist — this separates spoon from triangle. Hip: fullest buttocks. Keep the tape level and snug, not compressing skin. Re-measure twice; if readings differ by >0.5 cm, average them. Our default 90 cm bust matches a 35.4″ bust after conversion — all internal rules use inches.

What are the 7 female body shape categories?

In priority order: (1) Hourglass — bust ≈ hips, waist ≥9–10″ smaller. (2) Bottom hourglass — hips 3.6–10″ larger than bust, defined waist, high hip/waist bust, high hip/waist ≥1.193. (5) Triangle — hips ≥3.6″ larger, hip−waist <9″. (6) Inverted triangle — bust ≥3.6″ larger, bust−waist <9″. (7) Rectangle — bust and hips within 3.6″, waist not sharply smaller. Example: 36/32/38/40″ → Triangle (hip−bust 4″, hip−waist 8″).

Hourglass vs bottom hourglass vs spoon — what is the difference?

All three can have hips wider than bust. Hourglass (36/26/33/37″): |bust−hip| ≤1″ and hip−waist ≥10″ → Hourglass, WHR 0.7. Bottom hourglass (34/26/30/40″): hip−bust 6″ but high hip/waist 1.15 (<1.193) → Bottom hourglass. Spoon (34/29/37/40″): same hip emphasis but high hip/waist 1.28 (≥1.193) → Spoon. Spoon styling: highlight waist; bottom hourglass: balance lower curve with A-line or structured shoulders.

What is waist-hip ratio (WHR) and what is a healthy WHR for women?

WHR = waist ÷ hip circumference. Default 60÷90 cm → 0.67 (Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).). NIDDK often cites >0.80 (women) and >1.0 (men) as higher-risk bands; WHO uses >0.85 (women) as an obesity threshold. Rectangle example 35/30/34/35″ → WHR 0.86 (elevated band). WHR reflects fat distribution better than shape labels alone — pair with our body fat calculator for % body fat.

Is body shape a health indicator?

No — body shape is a styling and garment-fit framework, not a medical diagnosis. Apple/pear language in fashion does not map 1:1 to visceral fat risk. WHR is the stronger screening number on this page: default 0.67 vs rectangle 0.86 (Elevated (>0). Central adiposity (high WHR) correlates with cardiovascular risk in population studies; hip-dominant fat often carries lower metabolic risk at the same BMI.

What is the most common female body shape?

In a North Carolina State University sizing study (~6,000 U.S. women), about 46% were rectangle (banana), ~20% pear/triangle, ~14% apple/inverted triangle, and ~8% hourglass. Many real bodies sit between categories — use the label for outfit balance, not identity. If your numbers land near thresholds (e.g. hip−waist 8.9″ vs 9″), small measurement error can flip triangle vs spoon; re-measure at the same time of day.

Can my body shape change over time?

Yes. Shoulder width and pelvic structure stay relatively fixed, but circumferences change with weight, muscle (glutes, lats), pregnancy, menopause, and age. A 5 kg fat loss might drop waist 3–5 cm and shift WHR from 0.86 toward 0.80 without changing bust/hip balance much. Strength training can widen back/bust or hips depending on program. Re-run the calculator every few months if you are tracking recomposition — see our body composition change calculator for fat vs lean deltas.

Why do my measurements not fit one standard shape?

The algorithm picks the first matching rule in a fixed order; hybrid proportions are common. If hip−waist is 8.5″ you may read as triangle in strict math but look pear-hourglass in mirrors. Focus on styling goals: define waist (rectangle), balance shoulders (triangle/spoon), or add hip volume (inverted triangle). Fashion aliases on results help — e.g. hourglass also appears as “X-shape, opposing triangles.”

How should I dress for my body type?

Use shape as a proportion guide, not a rule. Hourglass (Hourglass): Defined waist — belts, wrap tops, fitted styles. Spoon: Highlight waist; avoid bulk at hips. Rectangle (WHR 0.86): Create waist lines — peplum, belts, color blocking. Triangle: Add shoulder volume; darker bottoms. Confidence and fit matter more than category names — alter hems and waists when off-the-rack sizing fails.

Does this body type calculator work for men?

The seven-category thresholds were calibrated on female proportions (bust/waist/hip deltas in inches). Men can still use WHR (healthy bands often cited as ≤0.90–0.95) but shape labels like “hourglass” target women’s sizing charts. For men’s health context, use BMI, body fat %, and waist circumference alongside WHR rather than fashion body-shape names.

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Q: Hourglass vs bottom hourglass vs spoon — what is the difference?

All three can have hips wider than bust. Hourglass (36/26/33/37″): |bust−hip| ≤1″ and hip−waist ≥10″ → Hourglass, WHR 0.7. Bottom hourglass (34/26/30/40″): hip−bust 6″ but high hip/waist 1.15 (<1.193) → Bottom hourglass. Spoon (34/29/37/40″): same hip emphasis but high hip/waist 1.28 (≥1.193) → Spoon. Spoon styling: highlight waist; bottom hourglass: balance lower curve with A-line or structured shoulders.

Q: What is waist-hip ratio (WHR) and what is a healthy WHR for women?

WHR = waist ÷ hip circumference. Default 60÷90 cm → 0.67 (Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).). NIDDK often cites >0.80 (women) and >1.0 (men) as higher-risk bands; WHO uses >0.85 (women) as an obesity threshold. Rectangle example 35/30/34/35″ → WHR 0.86 (elevated band). WHR reflects fat distribution better than shape labels alone — pair with our body fat calculator for % body fat.

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Body shape · WHR · 7 categories

Body Type Calculator

Quick answer — what is my body shape?

Measure bust, waist, high hip, and hip → the calculator classifies one of 7 body shapes and computes WHR = waist ÷ hip. Demo 90 / 60 / 80 / 90 cm → Hourglass (X-shape, opposing triangles), WHR 0.67 (lower band). Spoon vs pear uses high hip ÷ waist ≥ 1.193. Fashion-fit guide — not a health label.

Seven categories: hourglass, bottom/top hourglass, spoon, triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle.
Rules use inch thresholds after conversion (Lee et al., clothing-science sizing).
WHR: many guidelines cite ≤0.80 (lower) and >0.85 (elevated) for women — see WHR table below.
Last reviewed October 9, 2026 — pair with body fat % or BMI tools for broader wellness context.

7 shape categories with fashion aliases

WHR with lower / moderate / elevated context

Inch deltas shown for transparency

Want body fat % from tape? Body fat calculator

Body Type Calculator

7-category body shape + waist–hip ratio from bust, waist, high hip, and hip

Units

Bust

Fullest chest over bra

Waist

Smallest natural waist

High hip

~18 cm below waist

Hip (fullest)

Fullest buttocks

Results

Body shape

Hourglass

Also: X-shape, opposing triangles

Hip and bust nearly equal with a clearly narrower waist.

Waist–hip ratio (WHR)

0.67

Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).

• Defined waist — belts, wrap tops, fitted styles
• Wrap dresses and high-waist bottoms often fit well

Shape is for styling — WHR is the stronger health screening number.

What This Body Shape Calculator Shows

Body shape

Default 90 / 60 / 80 / 90 cm

Hourglass

X-shape, opposing triangles

Waist–hip ratio

WHR = waist ÷ hip

0.67

Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).

Key inch deltas

Used by classification rules

Bust−hip 0″ · Hip−waist 11.8″

High hip/waist 1.33 (spoon if ≥1.193)

Body shape examples (calculator output)

Scenario	Bust / waist / high hip / hip	Body shape	WHR	Fashion alias	High hip ÷ waist
Classic hourglass (in)	36/26/33/37 in	Hourglass	0.70	X-shape, opposing triangles	1.27
Spoon / curvy pear	34/29/37/40 in	Spoon	0.73	Pear, bell (curvy lower)	1.28
Rectangle / banana	35/30/34/35 in	Rectangle	0.86	Banana, straight	1.13
Pear / triangle	36/32/38/40 in	Triangle	0.80	Pear, bell	1.19
Bottom hourglass	34/26/30/40 in	Bottom hourglass	0.65	Curvy pear-hourglass	1.15
Default demo (cm)	90/60/80/90 cm	Hourglass	0.67	X-shape, opposing triangles	1.33

Formulas & Classification Rules

WHR = waist ÷ hip

High hip / waist = high hip ÷ waist (spoon if ≥ 1.193)

Shape rules compare bust−hip, hip−bust, bust−waist, hip−waist (inches)

All thresholds are evaluated in inches after unit conversion. Rules run in priority order — first match wins.

7 Body Shape Categories (Reference)

Shape	Rule (inches)	Fashion alias	Styling focus
Hourglass	\|bust−hip\| ≤ 1″ AND \|hip−bust\| < 3.6″ AND (bust−waist ≥ 9″ OR hip−waist ≥ 10″)	X-shape, opposing triangles	Defined waist — belts, wrap tops, fitted styles
Bottom hourglass	hip−bust 3.6–10″, hip−waist ≥ 9″, high hip/waist < 1.193	Curvy pear-hourglass	Balance lower curve — A-line, structured shoulders
Top hourglass	bust−hip 1–10″, bust−waist ≥ 9″	Curvy inverted emphasis	Balance bust — V-necks, detail on lower half
Spoon	hip−bust > 2″, hip−waist ≥ 7″, high hip/waist ≥ 1.193	Pear, bell (curvy lower)	Highlight waist; avoid bulk at hips
Triangle	hip−bust ≥ 3.6″, hip−waist < 9″	Pear, bell	Add shoulder volume; darker bottoms
Inverted triangle	bust−hip ≥ 3.6″, bust−waist < 9″	Apple (fashion)	Add hip volume; simple necklines
Rectangle	Bust ≈ hips, waist < 9″ smaller than bust and < 10″ smaller than hips	Banana, straight	Create waist lines — peplum, belts, color blocking

How to Measure

Bust

Over fullest part of chest in a fitted bra. Tape parallel to floor, snug not tight.

Waist

Smallest natural waist circumference, usually just above the navel.

High hip

Upper hip swell ~7 in (18 cm) below waist — used to distinguish spoon vs triangle.

Hip

Largest circumference over the fullest part of the buttocks.

Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) Bands

WHR range	Context
≤ 0.80 (women)	Lower risk band (NIDDK context for women)
0.80 – 0.85	Moderate — lifestyle factors matter
> 0.85 (women)	Elevated — WHO obesity threshold for women
> 1.0 (men)	Elevated for men (this tool is tuned for female shapes)

Example: hourglass 36/26/37″ → WHR 0.7 (lower); rectangle 35/30/35″ → WHR 0.86 (elevated). WHR is a population risk marker — not a personal diagnosis.

Population Shape Estimates (U.S. Sizing Study)

Shape	Share	Source
Rectangle (banana)	~46%	NC State sizing study (~6,000 women)
Pear / triangle	~20%	Same study aggregate
Apple / inverted triangle	~14%	Same study aggregate
Hourglass	~8%	Same study aggregate

Limitations

Designed for adult female proportions; male builds need different frameworks
Bone structure and muscle mass are not fully captured by circumferences alone
Body shape is a styling guide — not a health or beauty standard
Many people fall between two categories; use the closest match
WHR is a population risk indicator, not a personal diagnosis

Frequently Asked Questions

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Body shape · WHR · 7 categories

Body Type Calculator

Quick answer — what is my body shape?

Seven categories: hourglass, bottom/top hourglass, spoon, triangle, inverted triangle, rectangle.
Rules use inch thresholds after conversion (Lee et al., clothing-science sizing).
WHR: many guidelines cite ≤0.80 (lower) and >0.85 (elevated) for women — see WHR table below.
Last reviewed October 9, 2026 — pair with body fat % or BMI tools for broader wellness context.

7 shape categories with fashion aliases

WHR with lower / moderate / elevated context

Inch deltas shown for transparency

Want body fat % from tape? Body fat calculator

Body Type Calculator

7-category body shape + waist–hip ratio from bust, waist, high hip, and hip

Units

Bust

Fullest chest over bra

Waist

Smallest natural waist

High hip

~18 cm below waist

Hip (fullest)

Fullest buttocks

Results

Body shape

Hourglass

Also: X-shape, opposing triangles

Hip and bust nearly equal with a clearly narrower waist.

Waist–hip ratio (WHR)

0.67

Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).

• Defined waist — belts, wrap tops, fitted styles
• Wrap dresses and high-waist bottoms often fit well

Shape is for styling — WHR is the stronger health screening number.

What This Body Shape Calculator Shows

Body shape

Default 90 / 60 / 80 / 90 cm

Hourglass

X-shape, opposing triangles

Waist–hip ratio

WHR = waist ÷ hip

0.67

Lower risk band (≤0.80 for women in many guidelines).

Key inch deltas

Used by classification rules

Bust−hip 0″ · Hip−waist 11.8″

High hip/waist 1.33 (spoon if ≥1.193)

Body shape examples (calculator output)

Scenario	Bust / waist / high hip / hip	Body shape	WHR	Fashion alias	High hip ÷ waist
Classic hourglass (in)	36/26/33/37 in	Hourglass	0.70	X-shape, opposing triangles	1.27
Spoon / curvy pear	34/29/37/40 in	Spoon	0.73	Pear, bell (curvy lower)	1.28
Rectangle / banana	35/30/34/35 in	Rectangle	0.86	Banana, straight	1.13
Pear / triangle	36/32/38/40 in	Triangle	0.80	Pear, bell	1.19
Bottom hourglass	34/26/30/40 in	Bottom hourglass	0.65	Curvy pear-hourglass	1.15
Default demo (cm)	90/60/80/90 cm	Hourglass	0.67	X-shape, opposing triangles	1.33

Formulas & Classification Rules

WHR = waist ÷ hip

High hip / waist = high hip ÷ waist (spoon if ≥ 1.193)

Shape rules compare bust−hip, hip−bust, bust−waist, hip−waist (inches)

All thresholds are evaluated in inches after unit conversion. Rules run in priority order — first match wins.

7 Body Shape Categories (Reference)

Shape	Rule (inches)	Fashion alias	Styling focus
Hourglass	\|bust−hip\| ≤ 1″ AND \|hip−bust\| < 3.6″ AND (bust−waist ≥ 9″ OR hip−waist ≥ 10″)	X-shape, opposing triangles	Defined waist — belts, wrap tops, fitted styles
Bottom hourglass	hip−bust 3.6–10″, hip−waist ≥ 9″, high hip/waist < 1.193	Curvy pear-hourglass	Balance lower curve — A-line, structured shoulders
Top hourglass	bust−hip 1–10″, bust−waist ≥ 9″	Curvy inverted emphasis	Balance bust — V-necks, detail on lower half
Spoon	hip−bust > 2″, hip−waist ≥ 7″, high hip/waist ≥ 1.193	Pear, bell (curvy lower)	Highlight waist; avoid bulk at hips
Triangle	hip−bust ≥ 3.6″, hip−waist < 9″	Pear, bell	Add shoulder volume; darker bottoms
Inverted triangle	bust−hip ≥ 3.6″, bust−waist < 9″	Apple (fashion)	Add hip volume; simple necklines
Rectangle	Bust ≈ hips, waist < 9″ smaller than bust and < 10″ smaller than hips	Banana, straight	Create waist lines — peplum, belts, color blocking

How to Measure

Bust

Over fullest part of chest in a fitted bra. Tape parallel to floor, snug not tight.

Waist

Smallest natural waist circumference, usually just above the navel.

High hip

Upper hip swell ~7 in (18 cm) below waist — used to distinguish spoon vs triangle.

Hip

Largest circumference over the fullest part of the buttocks.

Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) Bands

WHR range	Context
≤ 0.80 (women)	Lower risk band (NIDDK context for women)
0.80 – 0.85	Moderate — lifestyle factors matter
> 0.85 (women)	Elevated — WHO obesity threshold for women
> 1.0 (men)	Elevated for men (this tool is tuned for female shapes)

Example: hourglass 36/26/37″ → WHR 0.7 (lower); rectangle 35/30/35″ → WHR 0.86 (elevated). WHR is a population risk marker — not a personal diagnosis.

Population Shape Estimates (U.S. Sizing Study)

Shape	Share	Source
Rectangle (banana)	~46%	NC State sizing study (~6,000 women)
Pear / triangle	~20%	Same study aggregate
Apple / inverted triangle	~14%	Same study aggregate
Hourglass	~8%	Same study aggregate