The Body Type Calculator is designed for females to find their "body shape," which can be used for getting targeted outfit ideas. Even though there is some research linking certain body shapes with some health risks, the body shape result of this calculator is not intended to be a serious indication of health or an ideal that must be met. Instead, the waist-hip ratio, which is also shown in the results of this calculator, is a better indicator of health.
When measuring, be sure to stand straight with arms to the side. Make sure the tape is snug against the body, but not too tight such that it compresses the body (making the measurement inaccurate).
Bust size — the circumference measured around the chest over the fullest part of the breasts, while wearing a properly fitted bra.
Waist size — the smallest circumference measured around the natural waist, just above the belly button.
High hip size — the circumference of the upper swell of the hip over the pelvic region. It is around 7 inches (18 cm) below the natural waist.
Hip size — the largest circumference measured around the hips over the largest part of the buttocks.
The body type calculator identifies a woman's body shape from four simple measurements — bust, waist, high hip, and hip — and reports it as one of the seven recognized female body shapes: hourglass, bottom hourglass, top hourglass, spoon, triangle (pear), inverted triangle (apple), and rectangle. Alongside the shape, it calculates your waist-hip ratio (WHR), a widely used measure of how fat is distributed around the body. Knowing your body shape is genuinely useful for choosing clothes that flatter your proportions, while the waist-hip ratio gives a quick, research-backed indicator of health that is more meaningful than shape alone.
This calculator is designed for women, because the classification system it uses — the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT) — was developed specifically from female body data. Enter your measurements in inches or centimeters, click Calculate, and you will instantly see your shape and WHR. Remember that a body shape is a description, not a verdict: every figure is unique, healthy bodies come in all shapes, and the result is meant as a helpful guide for styling and self-understanding rather than a standard to live up to.
The accuracy of your result depends entirely on how well you measure, so it is worth taking a moment to do it right. Use a flexible cloth or vinyl tape measure, stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides, and keep the tape snug against your body without pulling it tight enough to compress the skin. If possible, measure in front of a mirror or ask someone to help so you can keep the tape level all the way around. Wear thin clothing or none at all for the most accurate reading.
Because the classification depends on the differences between these four numbers, even a small measuring error can push you from one shape into a neighboring one. If your result seems off, re-measure carefully and try again.
Fashion and apparel research most often sorts female figures into seven shapes, based on the relationships between the bust, waist, high hip, and hip. The calculator evaluates each shape's mathematical definition and reports the one (or ones) that fit your measurements.
The hourglass is the shape most people picture as "balanced": the bust and hips are roughly equal in size, and the waist is significantly narrower than both, creating a defined curve. In measurement terms, the bust and hips are within about an inch of each other, and the waist is at least 9 inches (about 25%) smaller. Styling for an hourglass usually means emphasizing the waist — fitted dresses, belts, and wrap styles all work beautifully.
A bottom hourglass has the same defined waist as a classic hourglass, but the hips are moderately larger than the bust (roughly 3.6 to 10 inches bigger). The silhouette is curvy with slightly more volume below the waist. A-line skirts, bootcut trousers, and tops that add a little structure to the shoulders help balance the proportions.
A top hourglass is the mirror image: the waist is well defined, but the bust is moderately larger than the hips (again by about 3.6 to 10 inches). Styles that draw the eye downward and add volume to the lower body — flared skirts, wide-leg trousers, and detailed hemlines — help create balance.
The spoon (sometimes grouped with the pear) has hips that are noticeably larger than the bust, a defined waist, and a pronounced "shelf" at the high hip, giving the lower body a rounded, spoon-like outline. It is distinguished from the triangle by that higher hip shelf, reflected in a high-hip-to-waist ratio of about 1.19 or more. Clothing that skims the hips and highlights the waist and upper body tends to be most flattering.
The triangle, commonly called a pear, has hips that are clearly wider than the bust and shoulders, with a less-defined waist than the hourglass shapes. Weight tends to settle on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. The classic styling advice is to add interest and volume up top — bright colors, patterns, boat necks, and structured shoulders — while keeping the lower half simple.
The inverted triangle, often called an apple, has a bust and shoulders that are broader than the hips, with weight carried more around the middle and upper body. To balance the silhouette, styling generally adds volume to the lower body — full or A-line skirts, wide-leg or patterned trousers — and uses V-necks to lengthen the torso.
The rectangle (also called straight or banana) has a bust, waist, and hips of fairly similar width, with little waist definition. The frame looks balanced and athletic. Creating the illusion of curves is the usual goal: peplum tops, belted styles, ruffles, and layering all add shape, while dresses that nip in at the waist introduce definition.
The calculator uses the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT for Apparel), a system developed by researchers at North Carolina State University to categorize female body shapes from body-scan data. Each of the seven shapes has a precise mathematical definition based on the differences between measurements (all converted to inches internally). For example, the hourglass is defined by the bust and hips being within an inch of each other and the waist being at least nine inches smaller; the triangle requires the hips to exceed the bust by at least 3.6 inches with a less-defined waist. The calculator checks your numbers against every definition and reports each shape that matches. Because some measurement combinations sit on the boundary between two categories, you may occasionally see a combined result such as "Spoon and Triangle" — this simply means your figure has characteristics of both. In rare cases where measurements fall outside all seven definitions, the calculator will tell you it could not classify the shape, which is a reminder that real bodies are more varied than any tidy set of categories.
The waist-hip ratio is your waist measurement divided by your hip measurement. Unlike body shape, which is mainly a styling tool, WHR is a genuine health indicator: it reflects how much fat is stored around the abdomen relative to the hips and thighs. Abdominal (visceral) fat is more metabolically active and is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions, so a lower waist-hip ratio generally signals lower risk.
According to World Health Organization guidance, a waist-hip ratio above 0.85 for women (and above 0.90 for men) indicates abdominal obesity and an elevated health risk. Ratios at or below that threshold are associated with lower risk. This calculator shows your WHR with every result and flags a value above 0.85. Keep in mind that WHR is just one of several useful measures — body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference each tell part of the story, and none should be read in isolation or used to diagnose anything. For a fuller picture of your health, combine these tools and consult a healthcare professional.
| Waist-Hip Ratio (Women) | Health Risk (WHO) |
|---|---|
| 0.80 or lower | Low risk |
| 0.81 – 0.85 | Moderate risk |
| Above 0.85 | High risk (abdominal obesity) |
The single most practical use of knowing your body shape is dressing to feel confident. Clothing is cut for particular proportions, and understanding yours takes the guesswork out of shopping. The general principle behind all body-shape styling is balance: you highlight the parts you love and create harmony between the upper and lower body. An hourglass emphasizes the waist; a pear adds interest up top; an apple adds it below; a rectangle creates curves. None of this is about hiding or "fixing" anything — it is about choosing cuts, colors, and lines that work with your natural frame so clothes fit better and feel better. Over time, knowing your shape helps you build a wardrobe of pieces that reliably flatter, saving money and frustration.
It is worth saying clearly: there is no "best" body shape. Each of the seven categories is simply a description of proportions, and all of them are normal, healthy, and beautiful. Body shape is largely determined by genetics, bone structure, and where your body naturally stores fat — factors that are mostly outside your control and that shift with age, pregnancy, and life stage. While targeted exercise and overall fitness improve health and muscle tone, they cannot fundamentally change your skeletal frame or redistribute fat on command. Treat your result as a fun, useful piece of self-knowledge, not a scorecard. If measuring or thinking about your body brings up difficult feelings, be gentle with yourself, and reach out to a trusted person or professional for support.
Your fundamental body shape is set mostly by your genetics and skeletal structure, so you cannot turn a rectangle into an hourglass or a pear into an apple through diet or exercise alone. What you can change is your body composition — the ratio of muscle to fat — and your overall size. Strength training can build muscle in specific areas (for example, shoulder and back work can add a little upper-body definition, and glute training can shape the lower body), while cardiovascular exercise and a balanced diet reduce overall body fat, which lowers your waist-hip ratio and reduces health risk. These changes can make your existing shape look more toned and can shift your WHR into a healthier range, but they refine your natural silhouette rather than replacing it. The healthiest goal is not a particular shape but overall fitness, strength, and well-being.
Bust (around the fullest part of the chest), waist (the narrowest point above the belly button), high hip (about 7 inches / 18 cm below the waist, over the upper hip and pelvic area), and hip (the widest point around the buttocks). You can enter them in inches or centimeters.
The classification system it uses, the Female Figure Identification Technique, was developed from female body-scan data and reflects typical female proportions. Male body-shape categories are defined differently, so the results here are not meaningful for men.
The World Health Organization considers a waist-hip ratio of 0.85 or lower to indicate lower health risk for women. A ratio above 0.85 is associated with abdominal obesity and higher risk. WHR is only one indicator and should be considered alongside other measures and professional advice.
Some measurement combinations satisfy the definitions of two neighboring shapes at once — for instance, "Spoon and Triangle." This means your figure sits on the boundary and shares characteristics of both categories, which is completely normal.
Not at all. The seven shapes cover most bodies but not every possible combination of proportions. If your measurements fall outside all of them, you will see an "unable to classify" message. Double-check your measurements, but also remember that real bodies are more varied than any fixed set of categories.
Not directly. Body shape is mainly a styling concept. The waist-hip ratio shown in the results is a better health indicator because it reflects fat distribution, and even that is just one part of the overall picture.
This Body Type Calculator is provided for educational, styling, and general informational purposes only. The body-shape result is not a medical assessment and should not be treated as an indicator of health, attractiveness, or an ideal to attain. The waist-hip ratio and associated risk categories are based on general World Health Organization guidance and cannot diagnose any condition. For personalized health advice, always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Every body is unique and worthy of respect, whatever its shape.