This calculator estimates a female body shape from bust, waist, high-hip, and hip circumferences, then reports waist-hip ratio. The shape is a fashion category for outfit planning — not a health diagnosis or a target you have to hit. WHR is the more useful health figure of the two.
Formula
All difference cutoffs are in inches. Metric entries convert with 1 in = 2.54 cm, then the same rules run. Matching shapes are listed in this order and joined with "and" when more than one rule fits.
Hourglass (bust − hips) ≤ 1" AND (hips − bust) < 3.6"
AND ((bust − waist) ≥ 9" OR (hips − waist) ≥ 10")
Bottom hourglass (hips − bust) ≥ 3.6" AND < 10" AND (hips − waist) ≥ 9"
AND (high hip / waist) < 1.193
Top hourglass 1" < (bust − hips) < 10" AND (bust − waist) ≥ 9"
Spoon (hips − bust) > 2" AND (hips − waist) ≥ 7"
AND (high hip / waist) ≥ 1.193
Triangle (hips − bust) ≥ 3.6" AND (hips − waist) < 9"
Inverted triangle (bust − hips) ≥ 3.6" AND (bust − waist) < 9"
Rectangle |bust − hips| < 3.6" AND (bust − waist) < 9"
AND (hips − waist) < 10"
Waist-hip ratio is waist ÷ hip, rounded to two decimals.
The algorithm is from Lee, Istook, Nam, and Park (2007), International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology. There is a wide size range inside each shape, and some bodies do not match any of the seven.
Fashion nicknames
| Shape | Also called |
|---|---|
| Inverted triangle | Apple |
| Rectangle | Banana, straight |
| Triangle or spoon | Pear, spoon, bell |
| Hourglass | X shape, opposing triangles |
A 2005 North Carolina State University study of more than 6,000 women found about 46% banana/rectangle, just over 20% pear, just under 14% apple, and only 8% hourglass.
Examples
Default 36 in bust, 24 in waist, 32 in high hip, 36 in hip
Bust and hips are equal, and the waist is 12 inches smaller, so the result is Hourglass. Waist-hip ratio is 24 ÷ 36 = 0.67.
36 in bust, 34 in waist, 41 in high hip, 42 in hip
Hips are 6 inches larger than the bust with a high-hip/waist ratio of about 1.21, so both the spoon and triangle rules match: Spoon and Triangle. WHR is 34 ÷ 42 = 0.81.