Body Shape Calculator
Identify your body shape from three tape measurements and see what it means for fit and proportions.
How to use the Body Shape Calculator
- Enter the bust / chest and pick its unit – Around the fullest part of the chest.
- Enter the waist and pick its unit – At the narrowest part of the torso.
- Enter the hips and pick its unit – Around the widest part of the hips and buttocks.
- Press Calculate. The result updates automatically as you type.
About the Body Shape Calculator
Body shape describes how your measurements relate to each other, not your size. Two people with the same weight can have very different shapes. The thresholds used here are adapted from fashion-industry fit research that grouped thousands of body scans into a handful of shapes, simplified to three measurements you can take yourself.
Shape is mostly useful for choosing clothes that fit well. For health, the waist matters most: a larger waist relative to hips or height is linked with higher cardiometabolic risk, which is why the waist-to-hip ratio is shown too. Many people sit between two shapes, so take the result as a guide.
Formula
All comparisons are made in inches (cm ÷ 2.54):
- Apple: waist is equal to or larger than both bust and hips.
- Hourglass: bust and hips differ by less than 3.6 in, and the waist is at least 9 in smaller than the bust or 10 in smaller than the hips.
- Pear: hips are 3.6 in or more larger than the bust.
- Inverted triangle: bust is 3.6 in or more larger than the hips.
- Rectangle: everything else, where the three measurements are relatively close.
Example calculation
Using the default values:
- Bust / chest = 36 in
- Waist = 28 in
- Hips = 38 in
the calculator returns:
- Body shape: Hourglass
- What it means: Bust and hips are nearly equal with a clearly defined waist. Wrap dresses, belted styles and tailored fits follow your natural curves.
- Waist-to-hip ratio: 0.74
- Bust minus hips: −2 in
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure for body shape?
Wear light clothing, stand straight, and keep the tape level. Measure the fullest part of the bust, the narrowest part of the waist and the widest part of the hips.
Does this work for men?
The categories were developed for women's clothing, but the same idea applies: men with broad shoulders and narrow hips are usually an inverted triangle, and men with a larger midsection are usually an apple shape.
Can my body shape change?
Weight changes and strength training can shift your measurements somewhat, but the underlying bone structure, such as hip and shoulder width, stays the same.
Last updated: · Category: Health & Fitness calculators