ABOUT / METHOD

How the body type calculator works

Four tape measurements, five proportion patterns, and a rule set we publish. Here is what the calculator does, what it does not do, and where the limits are.

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01 / MEASUREMENT

Why four circumferences

Bust, waist, high hip and hips are all distances around the body. Using one kind of quantity means the four numbers can be compared without converting shoulder width or cup size into something they are not.

BustFullest part of the chest

WaistNarrowest part of the torso

High hipTop of the hip bones

HipsFullest part of the hips

Each tape position is drawn and explained in the measurement guide.

02 / PATTERNS

The five patterns

These are familiar styling words, but here they describe one specific four-circumference rule. They are not a universal or medical classification.

HourglassBust and hips sit within 5% of each other, the waist measures at most 80% of the hips, and the high hip stays at or under 95% of the hip.

PearThe bust measures below 95% of the hips in these four circumference measurements.

Inverted triangleThe bust measures above 105% of the hips in these four circumference measurements.

AppleBust and hips are within 5% of each other and the waist measures at least 88% of the hips, so the middle reads straight rather than indented.

RectangleBust and hips are within 5% of each other, and the waist or the high hip does not meet the thresholds used for the hourglass reading.

03 / RULE ORDER

How the rule works

The first matching rule wins. That order is part of the result, not an implementation detail: changing it can change which label you see. The current rule version is 1, and every result link records it.

Inverted triangleBust above hips by more than 5%

PearBust below hips by more than 5%

AppleClose bust and hips; waist at least 88% of hips

HourglassClose bust and hips; waist at most 80%, high hip at most 95%

RectangleEverything else

04 / LIMITS

What this cannot tell you

A tape measure is not a diagnosis.

Tape position, posture, clothing and breathing can move a reading.
A value near a threshold may fit the neighbouring pattern.
The result is a styling reference, not a health or weight assessment.

If two measurements disagree, measure again before assuming the result changed. The guide explains each position.

05 / TEAM

Who is behind this

Bodytype team

The people who build and maintain this site: the tape conventions, the classification rules and the pages that explain them. Corrections and questions are welcome.

Contact the team

06 / SOURCES

Data sources

This version does not use a CDC, WHO, or other institutional measurement dataset. The four tape positions are Bodytype's operating convention, and the thresholds are Bodytype's styling rules.

Read the sources and limits

READY TO MEASURE

Four numbers. One clear starting point.

Open the calculator