Body shape calculator

What is a body shape calculator?

A body shape calculator classifies your figure into one of several common silhouette types based on three circumference measurements: bust, waist, and hips. By comparing these measurements with each other, the tool reports two simple ratios and assigns a body shape such as hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle.

Knowing your body shape is useful for choosing clothing that flatters your proportions, understanding how weight tends to distribute on your frame, and tracking changes over time. Unlike body mass index, which only uses height and weight, body shape focuses on the relationship between your widest and narrowest points.

How does the calculator work?

The calculator needs three measurements taken with a soft tape measure:

• Bust — around the fullest part of the chest.
• Waist — around the narrowest part of the torso, usually just above the navel.
• Hips — around the widest part of the hips and buttocks.

From these it computes two ratios and then applies a set of simple rules to pick a shape. All three measurements should be taken in the same unit; because the classification depends only on ratios, the result is the same whether you measure in centimeters or inches.

Formula

The calculator uses two ratios:

$\text{WHR} = \frac{\text{Waist}}{\text{Hips}}$

$\text{BHR} = \frac{\text{Bust}}{\text{Hips}}$

The shape is then assigned with the following rules:

• Inverted triangle if $\text{BHR} \ge 1.05$ (bust clearly wider than hips).
• Pear (triangle) if $\text{BHR} \le 0.95$ (hips clearly wider than bust).
• Apple (round) if the bust and hips are balanced and $\text{WHR} \ge 0.85$ (little waist definition, weight carried around the middle).
• Hourglass if the bust and hips are balanced and $\text{WHR} \le 0.75$ (clearly defined waist).
• Rectangle otherwise — bust and hips balanced with a moderate waist (between the apple and hourglass thresholds).

Examples

1. Hourglass — bust 90 cm, waist 65 cm, hips 92 cm:

   • WHR = $\frac{65}{92} \approx 0.71$
   • BHR = $\frac{90}{92} \approx 0.98$
   • Bust and hips are balanced and the waist is well defined, so the shape is Hourglass.

2. Pear (triangle) — bust 86 cm, waist 74 cm, hips 100 cm:

   • BHR = $\frac{86}{100} = 0.86$
   • The hips are clearly wider than the bust, so the shape is Pear (triangle).

3. Apple (round) — bust 100 cm, waist 90 cm, hips 96 cm:

   • WHR = $\frac{90}{96} \approx 0.94$
   • BHR = $\frac{100}{96} \approx 1.04$
   • Bust and hips are balanced but the waist is wide, so the shape is Apple (round).

4. Inverted triangle — bust 102 cm, waist 80 cm, hips 90 cm:

   • BHR = $\frac{102}{90} \approx 1.13$
   • The bust is clearly wider than the hips, so the shape is Inverted triangle.

5. Rectangle — bust 90 cm, waist 75 cm, hips 92 cm:

   • WHR = $\frac{75}{92} \approx 0.82$
   • BHR = $\frac{90}{92} \approx 0.98$
   • Bust and hips are balanced with a moderate waist, so the shape is Rectangle.

The five body shapes explained

• Hourglass — bust and hips are roughly equal with a clearly narrower waist, giving a balanced, curvy silhouette.
• Pear (triangle) — the hips are the widest part of the body, with a narrower bust and shoulders.
• Apple (round) — weight is carried around the midsection, so the waist is not much smaller than the bust and hips.
• Rectangle — bust, waist, and hips are fairly similar in width, producing a straight, athletic line.
• Inverted triangle — the shoulders and bust are wider than the hips, the opposite of the pear shape.

Practical notes

• Take all three measurements at the same time of day and keep the tape snug but not tight.
• Because the classification is based on ratios, the result does not depend on your overall size — two people of different builds can share the same shape.
• Body shape is a guide, not a medical assessment. For health-related goals, pair it with metrics such as BMI and body fat percentage.
• Measurements and shapes can change with fitness, age, and lifestyle, so it is worth re-checking periodically.

FAQs

Which measurements do I need?

You need three circumferences: bust, waist, and hips. Use the same unit for all three.

Does the unit matter?

No. Since the shape is determined by ratios, you get the same result with centimeters or inches as long as all measurements use the same unit.

What is the difference between body shape and BMI?

Body shape compares your bust, waist, and hip measurements to describe your silhouette, while BMI uses only height and weight to estimate whether your weight is in a healthy range. They answer different questions and work well together.

Can my body shape change?

Yes. Changes in weight, muscle, age, and posture can shift your measurements and therefore your classified shape over time.