Body Shape Calculator

The main female body shapes are: Hourglass (balanced bust and hips with defined waist - about 8% of women), Pear/Triangle (hips wider than bust - about 20%), Apple/Inverted Triangle (broader shoulders and bust than hips - about 14%), Rectangle/Banana (similar bust, waist, and hip measurements - about 46%), and Spoon (hips significantly larger than bust with shelf-like appearance). There are also variants like Top Hourglass and Bottom Hourglass.

For accurate measurements: Bust - wrap tape around fullest part of chest, keeping it parallel to floor. Waist - measure at narrowest point (usually above belly button), don't suck in. Hips - measure at widest point of hips and buttocks. Stand straight, use a soft measuring tape, wear minimal clothing, and have someone help if possible. Measure at least twice to ensure accuracy.

For women, a healthy WHR is 0.85 or below. For men, it's 0.90 or below. The World Health Organization defines WHR above these thresholds as abdominal obesity. A lower WHR indicates less visceral fat around organs and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. The "ideal" WHR for attractiveness in studies is around 0.7 for women.

Yes, body shape can change due to several factors: Hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, menopause), weight fluctuations, aging (muscle loss, fat redistribution), and exercise (building muscle in specific areas). Many women shift from pear to apple shape after menopause as fat redistributes from hips to abdomen. However, your underlying skeletal structure (bone width, shoulder breadth) remains constant.

The key difference is the bust-to-hip ratio. Hourglass shapes have bust and hips approximately equal (within 1-2 inches), creating balanced proportions. Pear shapes have hips at least 3.6 inches wider than the bust. Both have defined waists, but pears carry more weight in the lower body. Many women fall into "bottom hourglass" - balanced but with slightly fuller hips - which is between these two categories.

Hourglass: Fitted clothes that define waist, wrap dresses, belted styles. Pear: A-line skirts, embellished tops, boat necks to balance proportions. Apple: Empire waist, V-necks to elongate torso, flowy fabrics over midsection. Rectangle: Create curves with belts, peplum tops, layered outfits, ruching. Inverted Triangle: Wide-leg pants, A-line skirts, minimal shoulder detail, hip embellishments to balance broad shoulders.

Yes, research shows apple-shaped bodies (carrying weight around the midsection) have higher risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome compared to pear-shaped bodies. This is because visceral fat (around organs) is more metabolically active and releases inflammatory compounds. Waist-to-hip ratio is often a better health predictor than BMI alone. However, overall fitness, diet, and lifestyle matter more than shape.

Body frame size refers to your skeletal structure - whether you have small, medium, or large bones. It's determined by wrist circumference relative to height or elbow breadth. Frame size matters because it affects your ideal weight range - people with larger frames naturally weigh more at the same height. It helps interpret BMI more accurately and set realistic weight goals. Frame size is genetic and doesn't change with diet or exercise.

This calculator uses algorithms based on research from the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology and is generally 80-98% accurate when measurements are taken correctly. Adding high hip measurements increases accuracy. Keep in mind that body shapes exist on a spectrum - many people fall between categories. The calculator provides a starting point for understanding your proportions, not a definitive diagnosis.

Exercise can modify how your body looks but cannot change your underlying skeletal structure. You can: reduce waist circumference through cardio and core work, build muscle in specific areas (glutes, shoulders, legs) to change proportions visually, and improve overall fat distribution. Strength training is most effective for body recomposition. A rectangle can develop more curves, an apple can reduce waist size, but your basic bone structure remains the same.