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The Body Type Calculator helps females find their body shape from bust, waist, high hip, and hip measurements—useful for targeted outfit ideas. Even though some research links certain body shapes with health risks, this result is not a health indicator. The waist-hip ratio, also shown here, is a better indicator of health.
Last updated: January 20, 2026
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Circumference over fullest part of breasts, with a fitted bra.
Smallest circumference around natural waist, just above belly button.
Upper swell of hip over pelvis, ~7 in (18 cm) below natural waist.
Largest circumference around hips over fullest part of buttocks.
Body shape
Hourglass
Hip and bust nearly equal, with a narrower waist. Sometimes called X shape or triangles opposing.
Waist–hip ratio (WHR)
0.67
Lower risk (0.80 or below).
Note
Body shape is for outfit ideas, not a health indicator. Waist–hip ratio is a better indicator of health than body shape.
A body type metric compares body circumferences (bust, waist, high hip, and hip) to classify shape patterns used in styling, garment fit, and proportion analysis. Instead of focusing on body weight alone, it describes how measurements are distributed.
This matters for clothing decisions, confidence in fit, and more accurate tailoring. It also pairs well with waist-hip ratio (WHR), which gives additional context about fat distribution and potential health risk patterns.
Common use cases include personal styling, online shopping size decisions, wardrobe planning, and tracking proportion changes after fitness or lifestyle adjustments.
WHR = Waist / Hip
Key shape comparisons: Bust - Hip, Hip - Bust, Bust - Waist, Hip - Waist
High-Hip Ratio = High Hip / Waist (used for Spoon distinction)
The calculator applies rule thresholds across these measurement differences to classify one of seven categories: hourglass, bottom hourglass, top hourglass, spoon, triangle, inverted triangle, or rectangle.
Bust: 36", Waist: 26", High Hip: 33", Hip: 37"
Bust and hip are close with a clearly narrower waist.
Likely result: Hourglass
Bust: 34", Waist: 29", High Hip: 37", Hip: 40"
Hips noticeably wider than bust with moderate waist definition.
Likely result: Triangle or Spoon
Bust: 35", Waist: 30", High Hip: 34", Hip: 35"
Bust and hip are similar and waist is not sharply smaller.
Likely result: Rectangle
Compare how measurement patterns map to common body-shape outcomes and WHR context.
| Shape Pattern | Typical Measurement Trend | Styling Goal | WHR Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Bust ≈ Hips, smaller waist | Highlight natural waistline | Often moderate to lower WHR |
| Triangle / Spoon | Hips > Bust | Balance upper and lower body visual weight | WHR varies by waist definition |
| Inverted Triangle | Bust/shoulders > Hips | Add volume below waistline | WHR depends on waist and hip values |
| Rectangle | Bust ≈ Hips, less waist contrast | Create waist definition lines | Can sit across broad WHR range |
Stand straight with arms at your side. Keep the tape snug but not tight enough to compress the body.
Circumference around the chest over the fullest part of the breasts, wearing a properly fitted bra.
Smallest circumference around the natural waist, just above the belly button.
Circumference of the upper swell of the hip over the pelvic region, ~7 in (18 cm) below the natural waist.
Largest circumference around the hips over the fullest part of the buttocks.
In fashion, body shapes are often grouped into four classes.
A North Carolina State University study of 6,000+ women found ~46% banana-shaped, ~20% pear-shaped, ~14% apple-shaped, and ~8% hourglass-shaped.
Body shapes are based on societal standards that vary by culture. This calculator uses an algorithm from a study in the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, which breaks down female body shapes into 7 categories. Sizes vary widely within each shape, and some people may not fit neatly into any category.
Hourglass: (bust − hips) ≤ 1" and (hips − bust) < 3.6" and ((bust − waist) ≥ 9" or (hips − waist) ≥ 10").
Bottom hourglass: (hips − bust) 3.6"–10", (hips − waist) ≥ 9", (high hip/waist) < 1.193.
Top hourglass: (bust − hips) > 1" and < 10", (bust − waist) ≥ 9".
Spoon: (hips − bust) > 2", (hips − waist) ≥ 7", (high hip/waist) ≥ 1.193.
Triangle: (hips − bust) ≥ 3.6", (hips − waist) < 9".
Inverted triangle: (bust − hips) ≥ 3.6", (bust − waist) < 9".
Rectangle: (hips − bust) < 3.6", (bust − hips) < 3.6", (bust − waist) < 9", (hips − waist) < 10".
Waist-hip ratio (WHR) is waist circumference divided by hip circumference. For example, 34" waist and 40" hip gives WHR = 34/40 = 0.85.
WHR is sometimes used as an indicator of health. Research suggests higher risk for those with more weight around the waist (“apple-shaped”) than the hips (“pear-shaped”). Per NIDDK, women with WHR > 0.8 and men > 1.0 have higher health risks. WHO defines obesity as WHR > 0.90 (men) or > 0.85 (women). WHR has been found more effective than waist alone or BMI for predicting mortality in adults over 75 and for cardiovascular disease. Abdominal fat is linked to higher health risks than peripheral fat.
WHR is also linked to fertility. Women with WHR > 0.80 tend to have lower pregnancy rates than those between 0.70–0.79. Men with WHR around 0.9 may be more fertile and healthier. See the Body Fat Calculator for more on fat distribution and health.
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