Body Shape Calculator
Find your body type from bust, waist & hip measurements
Last updated June 15, 2026
Method: A deterministic geometric classification. It compares your bust, waist and hip measurements with standard body-shape thresholds: bust and hips "balanced" when within about 5% of each other, and a "defined" waist when it is at least 25% smaller than your widest point.
Included: The four standard female body shapes - hourglass, pear (triangle), apple (inverted triangle) and rectangle (straight) - plus your waist-to-hip and waist-to-bust ratios and the bust-hip difference.
Not included: Body fat, weight, health risk, fitness or any medical assessment. This is for information and clothing-fit purposes only, not a diagnosis.
⏳ Your measurements
Around the fullest part of the chest, tape level.
At the narrowest point, usually just above the navel.
Around the fullest part of the hips and seat.
⏳ Your body shape
Bust and hips are close in size with a clearly defined, much narrower waist.
📊 The numbers behind it
Body shape calculator: everything you need to know
A body shape calculator sorts your figure into one of four types - hourglass, pear, apple or rectangle - by comparing three tape measurements. For example, a 36-26-37 figure is an hourglass: the bust and hips sit within 5% of each other and the 26-inch waist is nearly 30% smaller than the widest point. Your type depends on how the numbers relate, not their size.
Body shape is about proportions for styling, not health. If you want body-composition numbers instead, the BMI Calculator checks weight against height, the BMR Calculator estimates the calories you burn at rest, the TDEE Calculator factors in your activity level, and the Calorie Calculator turns that into a daily target for losing or gaining weight.
The formula behind your body shape
The calculator works from two simple comparisons. First, it checks whether your bust and hips are "balanced," and second, whether your waist is "defined":
balanced = |bust − hip| ≤ 0.05 × max(bust, hip)
defined waist = waist ≤ 0.75 × max(bust, hip) From there the logic is a short decision tree. If bust and hips are balanced and the waist is defined, you are an hourglass. If your hips are more than 5% wider than your bust, you are a pear (triangle). If your bust is more than 5% wider than your hips, you are an apple (inverted triangle). Otherwise - similar bust and hips but no strong waist - you are a rectangle (straight). Because every test is a ratio, inches and centimeters give exactly the same answer.
Which body shape am I? Quick-reference chart
Each of the four shapes is defined by two exact rules - how the bust compares with the hips, and how small the waist is relative to the widest point. The example waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) in the last column come from the sample figures in the scenario chart below.
| Body shape | Bust vs. hips | Waist | Example WHR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Within 5% (balanced) | At least 25% smaller than widest (defined) | 0.67–0.73 |
| Pear (triangle) | Hips more than 5% wider than bust | Any | 0.68–0.74 |
| Apple (inverted triangle) | Bust more than 5% wider than hips | Any | 0.84–0.87 |
| Rectangle (straight) | Within 5% (balanced) | Less than 25% smaller (not defined) | 0.84–0.86 |
A worked example, step by step
Suppose your measurements are bust 36, waist 30, hips 41 inches. The widest point is the hips at 41. The bust-hip difference is |36 − 41| = 5 inches, which is 5 ÷ 41 = 12.2% of the widest point - well above the 5% balance threshold, so bust and hips are not balanced. Since the hips (41) exceed the bust (36) by more than 5% of 41 (which is 2.05 inches), the calculator classifies you as a pear. Your waist-to-hip ratio is 30 ÷ 41 = 0.73, and your waist-to-bust ratio is 30 ÷ 36 = 0.83. Even though the waist is fairly trim, the dominant hips put you firmly in pear territory rather than hourglass. Swap the hips down to 37 and the bust-hip gap shrinks to under 5% - now the waist test decides between hourglass and rectangle.
Step-by-step: classifying a 36-26-37 figure
Here is the same math applied to a 36-inch bust, 26-inch waist and 37-inch hips, one line at a time. Every value is computed straight from the formula above.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Widest point | max(36, 37) | 37 in (hips) |
| 2. Bust–hip difference | |36 − 37| = 1; 1 ÷ 37 | 2.7% |
| 3. Balanced? (≤ 5%) | 1 ≤ 0.05 × 37 = 1.85 | Yes |
| 4. Waist cutoff | 0.75 × 37 | 27.75 in |
| 5. Defined waist? (≤ cutoff) | 26 ≤ 27.75 (30% smaller) | Yes |
| 6. Ratios | WHR 26÷37; WBR 26÷36 | 0.70; 0.72 |
| Result | Balanced + defined waist | Hourglass |
The four body shapes explained
- Hourglass: bust and hips roughly equal, with a clearly nipped-in waist. Clothing that follows the natural waistline tends to flatter most.
- Pear / Triangle: hips and thighs are the widest part, with a narrower bust and shoulders. Volume and detail up top help balance the silhouette.
- Apple / Inverted Triangle: the bust, chest and shoulders are broader than the hips, often with a less-defined waist. Adding interest at the hem or hips creates balance.
- Rectangle / Straight: bust, waist and hips are similar, so the body reads as a straight line. Creating the illusion of a waist (belts, peplums, seaming) adds curve.
Body shape chart: sample measurements and their result
These ten bust-waist-hip figures (in inches) show how the ratios drive the label. WHR is waist ÷ hips, WBR is waist ÷ bust, and the bust-hip difference is measured against the widest point - all computed with the formula above.
| Bust-Waist-Hip | WHR | WBR | Bust-hip diff. | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36-24-36 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 0.0% | Hourglass |
| 38-28-40 | 0.70 | 0.74 | 5.0% | Hourglass |
| 42-32-44 | 0.73 | 0.76 | 4.5% | Hourglass |
| 36-26-38 | 0.68 | 0.72 | 5.3% | Pear |
| 34-28-38 | 0.74 | 0.82 | 10.5% | Pear |
| 36-30-41 | 0.73 | 0.83 | 12.2% | Pear |
| 42-33-38 | 0.87 | 0.79 | 9.5% | Apple |
| 44-32-38 | 0.84 | 0.73 | 13.6% | Apple |
| 35-31-36 | 0.86 | 0.89 | 2.8% | Rectangle |
| 38-32-38 | 0.84 | 0.84 | 0.0% | Rectangle |
Note the borderline rows: 38-28-40 lands exactly on the 5% balance line and stays an hourglass, while 36-26-38 (5.3%) just crosses into pear - proof that a fraction of an inch near a threshold can change the label.
How to use this body shape calculator
You only need three measurements and a tape measure. Work through the fields in order:
- Pick your unit: tap inches or centimeters. The result is identical either way - just keep all three numbers in the same unit.
- Bust: measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level across your back and parallel to the floor.
- Waist: measure at the narrowest point of your torso, usually an inch or so above the navel. Breathe out and do not pull the tape tight.
- Hips: measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, feet together.
- Calculate: press the button to see your shape, plus your waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-bust ratio and bust-hip difference.
If a result surprises you, re-measure. The single biggest source of error is an uneven or too-tight tape, which can shift you across a threshold.
Who this calculator is for
Knowing your body shape is mostly a shortcut for shopping and styling. This tool helps:
- Online shoppers who want to predict how a dress or pair of jeans will fit before buying.
- Anyone building a capsule wardrobe and choosing silhouettes that consistently flatter.
- People learning to sew or tailor who need to know where a garment usually has to be adjusted.
- Stylists and personal shoppers who want a quick, repeatable starting point for a client.
- The simply curious who have heard the hourglass/pear/apple labels and want to know which one fits them.
A second worked example: rectangle vs. hourglass
Take measurements of bust 35, waist 31, hips 36 inches. The bust-hip difference is just 1 inch - 1 ÷ 36 = 2.8%, comfortably inside the 5% balance band - so the bust and hips are balanced. Now the waist test decides the shape. The widest point is 36, and 0.75 × 36 = 27 inches. The waist is 31, which is larger than 27, so the waist is not defined and the result is a rectangle. If that same person had a 26-inch waist instead (below the 27-inch cutoff), the balanced bust and hips plus the defined waist would make her an hourglass. This shows how the waist threshold is the dividing line between the two balanced shapes.
Key terms explained
- Bust: the circumference around the fullest part of the chest.
- Waist: the circumference at the narrowest part of the torso, the natural waistline.
- Hips: the circumference around the widest part of the hips and seat.
- Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): waist divided by hips. A lower number means a more defined waist relative to the hips.
- Waist-to-bust ratio: waist divided by bust, the upper-body counterpart of WHR.
- Balanced: bust and hips within about 5% of each other - neither top- nor bottom-heavy.
- Defined waist: a waist at least 25% smaller than the widest of the bust or hips.
Scenario comparison: how one change moves your shape
Starting from a balanced 38-28-40 hourglass, here is how a single change can flip the result (one measurement altered at a time):
- Hips up to 44: the bust-hip gap jumps to about 13.6% of the widest point, so balance is lost and the shape becomes a pear.
- Bust up to 44, hips back to 38: now the bust dominates and the result is an apple.
- Waist up to 33 (bust and hips unchanged): bust and hips stay balanced, but the waist is no longer 25% smaller than the widest point, so the shape becomes a rectangle.
The takeaway: your body shape is a relationship, not a size. Small shifts near a threshold matter more than large changes deep inside a category.
Factors that change the result
If you re-measure and get a different shape, one of these is usually why:
- Tape placement: measuring the waist too high or too low, or the hips too high, is the most common cause of a flipped result.
- Tape tension: pulling the tape tight understates a measurement; leaving it loose overstates it. Keep it snug but not compressing.
- Posture and breathing: standing tall and breathing out gives a consistent waist reading; slouching inflates it.
- Body changes: weight change, muscle gain, pregnancy and aging redistribute measurements over time.
- Borderline ratios: if you sit right on the 5% or 25% thresholds, tiny differences decide the label.
Tips for styling each shape
- Hourglass: emphasize the natural waist - wrap dresses, fitted knits and high-waisted bottoms keep the proportions balanced.
- Pear: draw the eye upward with structured shoulders, boat necks and brighter tops, paired with darker, simple bottoms.
- Apple: create length and define a waist with V-necks, empire lines and straight-leg pants; add detail at the hips.
- Rectangle: build curves with belts, peplums, ruffles and seaming that suggest a waistline.
These are starting points, not rules. The most flattering clothing is the clothing you feel confident in, and many people happily ignore "shape advice" entirely.
Limitations and assumptions
This calculator is a styling and information tool, not a health instrument. Keep these limits in mind:
- It uses standard 5% balance and 25% waist thresholds; other charts use slightly different cutoffs, so a different site may name your shape differently.
- It reduces the body to four categories; it does not capture sub-types like spoon, diamond or athletic, or differences in height and bone structure.
- It makes no medical or fitness claim - it does not measure body fat, weight or health risk.
- It assumes accurate, consistent measurements; garbage in, garbage out.
- The shape labels are framed for the typical female bust-waist-hip pattern.
How it compares to related calculators
This page answers "what is my body shape?" If your question is about health rather than styling, a sister tool fits better:
- For a health-risk ratio from your waist and hips, use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator.
- To estimate body fat percentage from measurements, use the Body Fat Calculator.
- For body mass index and a healthy weight range, use the BMI Calculator.
- To find a target weight for your height, use the Ideal Weight Calculator.
About this formula
Body shape classification is a deterministic, geometric standard - it compares three circumferences using fixed ratio thresholds, so no external data source is required and the math is reproducible by hand. The 5% balance band and the 25% waist-definition cutoff are the conventional thresholds used by clothing-fit and styling charts. Because the result is descriptive (which of four silhouettes your measurements most resemble) rather than diagnostic, there is no medical figure to cite; the calculation is the formula shown above.
Sources
This is a deterministic styling classification based on a standard ratio formula, so it does not rely on a regulatory or medical data source. For the health-related measurement ratios referenced above (such as waist-to-hip ratio), see the World Health Organization's guidance, used in the related Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator.
⚠️ Common mistakes & edge cases
Measuring the waist in the wrong place
The waist is the narrowest part of the torso, not at the belly button or hip bones. Measuring too low inflates the number and can turn an hourglass into a rectangle.
Mixing units
Entering one measurement in inches and another in centimeters breaks the ratios. Pick one unit with the toggle and use it for all three numbers.
Pulling the tape too tight
A tight tape understates your measurements unevenly and can flip a borderline result. Keep the tape snug and level, and breathe out normally.
Treating the label as a health verdict
Body shape describes proportions for styling - it says nothing about fitness, weight or health. Use a waist-to-hip or body fat calculator for health context.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How does this body shape calculator work?
The body shape calculator compares three measurements - bust, waist and hips - using standard ratio thresholds. If your bust and hips are within about 5% of each other and your waist is at least 25% smaller than your widest point, you are an hourglass. If your hips are more than about 5% wider than your bust, you are a pear (triangle). If your bust is more than about 5% wider than your hips, you are an apple (inverted triangle). If everything is close in size with little waist definition, you are a rectangle.
What are the four main female body shapes?
The four most common female body shapes are the hourglass (balanced bust and hips with a narrow waist), the pear or triangle (hips wider than the bust), the apple or inverted triangle (bust and shoulders wider than the hips), and the rectangle or straight shape (bust, waist and hips similar in size). Some charts add sub-types like the spoon or diamond, but most reduce to these four.
How do I measure my bust, waist and hips correctly?
Use a soft tape measure over thin clothing or bare skin and keep the tape level all the way around. Measure the bust at the fullest part of the chest, the waist at its narrowest point (usually just above the navel), and the hips at the fullest part of the seat and hips. Stand naturally, breathe out, and do not pull the tape tight. Take each measurement twice and average them.
Should I enter inches or centimeters?
Either works. Body shape is decided by the ratios between your measurements, not their absolute size, so the calculator gives the same result whether you enter inches or centimeters - just be sure all three numbers use the same unit. Use the toggle at the top to switch between inches and centimeters.
What is the difference between an hourglass and a rectangle?
Both shapes have a balanced bust and hip - the bust and hips are close in size. The difference is the waist. An hourglass has a clearly defined waist that is at least about 25% smaller than the bust or hips. A rectangle has a waist that is closer in size to the bust and hips, so the silhouette reads as straighter up and down.
What is a pear or triangle body shape?
A pear (also called a triangle) body shape carries more width in the hips and thighs than in the bust and shoulders. In the calculator, you are classified as a pear when your hip measurement is more than about 5% larger than your bust. It is one of the most common female body shapes.
Is this body shape calculator medically accurate?
No - and it is not meant to be. This is a geometric classification of three tape-measure numbers for styling and clothing-fit purposes. It does not measure body fat, health, fitness or weight, and it makes no medical claims. For health-related ratios, use a dedicated tool such as a waist-to-hip ratio or body fat calculator and talk to a clinician.
My result is on the border between two shapes - what does that mean?
Real bodies do not fall into perfectly clean categories, so it is normal to sit near a threshold. If your bust and hip difference is right around 5%, or your waist is right around 25% smaller than your widest point, you may switch shapes with a small change in how you hold the tape. Treat the result as the closest match rather than a fixed label, and feel free to use styling advice from both nearby shapes.
Does body shape change over time?
Yes. Weight changes, muscle gain, pregnancy, aging and posture can all shift where your measurements sit relative to one another. Because the calculator uses ratios, a change that affects your waist, bust or hips differently can move you from one shape to another. Re-measuring every so often keeps the result current.
Can men use this body shape calculator?
This calculator and its thresholds are designed around the typical female bust-waist-hip pattern, so the shape labels are framed for women. The underlying math - comparing three circumferences - is not sex-specific, but the named categories (hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle) and their styling meaning are most useful for women's clothing fit.
Why use ratios instead of just my measurements?
Two people can have very different measurements - say 36-26-38 and 42-32-44 - and still share the same body shape, because the relationship between bust, waist and hips is the same. Ratios capture that relationship and ignore overall size, which is exactly what determines how clothing drapes and where it needs tailoring.
Is this body shape calculator free?
Yes. This is a completely free body shape calculator - no sign-up, no fee, and no limit on how many times you can run it. Enter your bust, waist and hips, switch units if you like, and re-calculate as many times as you want.
What body shape is 36-24-36?
A 36-24-36 figure is a textbook hourglass. The bust and hips are identical, so they are perfectly balanced (0% difference), and the 24-inch waist is 33% smaller than the 36-inch widest point - well past the 25% defined-waist threshold. Both ratios are 0.67 (waist-to-hip and waist-to-bust). Any figure where the bust and hips are within 5% of each other and the waist is at least a quarter smaller lands in the same hourglass category, regardless of overall size.
What is the most common female body shape?
Across measurement studies, the rectangle (straight) shape - bust, waist and hips close in size with little waist definition - and the pear (triangle) shape, where the hips are the widest point, are the two most frequently reported. True hourglass proportions, with balanced bust and hips plus a waist 25% or more smaller than the widest point, are less common. Because this calculator uses ratios rather than population averages, it simply reports the shape your own three measurements fit, not the most common one.
💡 Good to know
Your shape is a ratio, not a size
A 36-26-38 and a 42-32-44 figure can share the exact same body shape, because the relationship between bust, waist and hips is what counts - not the absolute numbers. That is why the calculator works the same in inches or centimeters.
Borderline results are normal
If your bust-hip gap is right around 5% or your waist is right around 25% smaller than your widest point, a small change in tape placement can flip your shape. Treat the result as the closest match and borrow styling ideas from both nearby shapes.
Re-measure now and then
Weight changes, muscle gain, pregnancy and aging redistribute measurements over time. Because the result depends on ratios, a change to just one measurement can move you to a new shape - so re-measuring keeps it accurate.
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