Enter bust, waist and hip measurements to find your body shape — hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, inverted triangle, spoon or a top/bottom hourglass — plus your waist-to-hip ratio and the differences that define each shape.
The eight shapes
How body shape is worked out
Body shape describes the proportions between bust, waist and hips — not size. The calculator converts your measurements to inches and applies the classification developed from the SizeUSA body-scan study (Simmons, Istook & Devarajan, 2004), which is the system most apparel sizing research uses. Weight and BMI play no part, so two people of very different sizes can share the same shape.
The shapes
| Shape | Rule of thumb | Dressing notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Bust ≈ hips; waist at least 9–10 in smaller | Fitted and wrap styles that follow the waist |
| Top / bottom hourglass | Hourglass with a slightly fuller bust or hips | As hourglass, balancing the fuller half |
| Pear (triangle) | Hips at least 3.6 in wider than bust | Volume or detail on top; A-line and straight cuts below |
| Spoon | Pear with a pronounced high-hip shelf | As pear; avoid hard horizontal lines at the high hip |
| Inverted triangle | Bust at least 3.6 in wider than hips; waist less defined | Volume below the waist; simple necklines |
| Rectangle (straight) | Bust, waist and hips within a few inches | Belts, peplums and layers that create a waist |
| Apple (round) | Waist close to or larger than bust and hips | Empire lines, V-necks, structured shoulders |
How to measure
- Bust — around the fullest part, tape level, breathing normally
- Waist — around the narrowest point, usually just above the navel
- Hips — around the widest part of the hips and bottom, feet together
- High hip — about 7–10 cm below the waist, across the top of the hip bones (optional; separates spoon from pear)
- Use a soft tape over light clothing; measure twice and take the average
Models: these are the same bust-waist-hip figures that go on your ZJELL Models portfolio and comp card, where clients filter by them — keep them current. The bra size calculator uses the bust and underbust measurements.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main body shapes?
Hourglass, pear (triangle), inverted triangle, rectangle (straight) and apple (round), with top hourglass, bottom hourglass and spoon as sub-types. The calculator returns one of these eight.
Is body shape the same as body type (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph)?
No. Somatotypes describe build and muscularity; body shape describes the bust-waist-hip silhouette. This calculator gives body shape, which is what fashion sizing and styling use.
What is a good waist-to-hip ratio?
For women up to 0.80 is considered low risk and above 0.85 higher risk; for men the higher-risk threshold is 0.90 (WHO). It is a health marker about fat distribution, not a beauty standard.
Do I need the high-hip measurement?
Only to tell a spoon shape from a pear. Leave it blank and the calculator uses the other seven shapes.
Can my shape change?
Proportions shift with weight change, training and age — the waist usually moves most. Re-measure every few months and update your portfolio measurements.
More utilities: Age Calculator · Date Calculator · Date of Birth Calculator · BMI Calculator · BMR Calculator · Calorie Calculator · Height Weight Calculator · Bra Size Calculator · All utilities
Are you a model? Create your free portfolio on ZJELL Models. Looking for models for a shoot? Browse portfolios or send a booking request.