Created by Bogna Szyk and Aleksandra Zając, MD
Reviewed by
Steven Wooding and Jack Bowater
Based on research by
Jeong Yim Lee, Cynthia L. Istook, Yun Ja Nam, Sun Mi Park Comparison of body shape between USA and Korean women; International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology; October 2007
Last updated:
Oct 16, 2023
- How to take measurements
- What is my body type?
- FAQ
What body shape am I - is it an hourglass, a triangle, or maybe a rectangle? If this question troubles you, we have a solution - a foolproof body type calculator that only needs a few seconds to give you a clear answer. Instead of analyzing your reflection in the mirror and wondering which shape it resembles the most, we give you a fast and reliable way to determine what is your body type. Just input your measurements into the body shape calculator and let it classify you into one of the seven most popular groups.
Make sure to also calculate your ideal weight and BMI too! You can also use our maintenance calorie calculator to find out how many calories your body needs to maintain your current weight.
How to take measurements
Our body shape calculator needs four measurements to determine your body type accurately. You can use the measurements you took for the body fat calculator.
- Bust: measure at the fullest point of your bust with a soft measuring tape. Make sure that the tape is not too tight by breathing in and out.
- Waist: your waist is the narrowest part of your torso. The measuring tape you bring around your waist should sit tightly, but it shouldn't "dig" into your skin. Don't pull your stomach in, either.
- Hips: you measure your hips at the widest point below your waist. Remember to remove your clothing and keep your feet together so that the measurement is as accurate as possible.
- High hip: this is also a hip measurement but taken in a different place than the previous one. It is taken at the top of the hip curve - not at its widest point! You need to localize the upper swell of the hip over your pelvic bone.
It doesn't matter which units you use for the measurement - our body type calculator deals equally well with imperial and metric units.
What is my body type?
Our body shape calculator will classify your body into one of the seven most popular types. Naturally, not all women falling into one category are the same.
- Hourglass: this body shape is balanced and harmonious. The bust and hips are proportional and well-balanced, and the waist is clearly defined.
- Top hourglass: it is similar to the regular hourglass with a defined waist. Your bust is visibly larger than your hips.
- Bottom hourglass: this body type has a clearly defined waist like the top hourglass. Your bust is smaller than the hips.
- Spoon: if you're a spoon, your hips are much larger than your bust. Your hips have a shelf-like appearance, and you have a well defined waist.
- Triangle: triangles have a slim upper body and wide hips (typically wider than the shoulders). Their waist is not clearly accentuated.
- Inverted triangle: inverted triangles have a subtle waist and a proportionally larger upper body. Your bust and shoulders are pretty broad, and the hips are slim.
- Rectangle: your hips, waist, and bust are about the same size. Your body is well proportioned and athletic in appearance.
Now that you have solved the pressing issue of "What body shape am I?", you can use this knowledge for your benefit. Making informed choices while dressing or shopping for clothes will surely make you a more confident person!
🙋 When it comes to the physical aspects of ourselves, comparing comes easily. Modern culture doesn't make it easier as well. Sometimes, you might even forget, that your body primarily allows you to do all those amazing things in the world. You can move from place to place, learn, feel the sensations, experience the environment, and create bonds with your loved ones because you exist in this world in your body. Appreciate what it does for you everyday!
FAQ
What is the most common body shape?
The most common body shape is a rectangle, which makes up 46% of women. A rectangle is a woman whose waist is less than nine inches smaller than their hips or bust. Next are the bottom-heavy 'spoons', whose hips are two or more inches larger than their busts. These account for approximately 20% of the female population. Third are the inverted triangles, making up about 14% of the population. These are women whose busts are three or more inches larger than their hips. Finally are the hourglasses, women who have a roughly equal hip and bust, with a narrower waist. These women make up about 8%.
Does a woman's body shape change with age?
Yes, as a woman ages, the concentrations of hormones in her body will alter, causing her body shape to change. The first changes occur at puberty. Pre-pubescent boys and girls have a similar hip-waist ratio, but the large amounts of estrogen produced at the onset of puberty cause a female's hips to widen and breasts to develop. Estrogen also causes fat to be stored in the buttocks, thighs, and hips. Pregnancy causes estrogen levels to rise again, causing the breasts to enlarge, although this is generally reversed after pregnancy. At the onset of menopause, the decreased estrogen levels cause a woman’s breasts to shrink, as well as the redistribution of fat to the waist or abdomen.
Can you change your body shape?
Once you have finished puberty, it is largely impossible to change your body shape - your bone structure and proportions are mostly defined. There are however some changes that can be made. Gaining or losing fat will change the size of your buttocks, thighs, and hips if you are a premenopausal woman, or the size of your waist and abdomen if you are a man or post-menopausal woman. Gaining muscle mass is another way of altering your shape - by targeting particular muscle groups you can accentuate them, e.g., your shoulders to look more athletic, your hamstrings and glutes for longer-looking legs.
What is my body type?
There are three body types: ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph. If you are lean and long, find it challenging to build muscle, and have ever been accused of being a ‘beanpole’, you’re probably an ectomorph. If you tend to be on the heavier side and find it difficult to lose body fat, you are likely an endomorph. If you find it easy to gain muscle and have a high metabolism, you may be a mesomorph. However, please be aware that you are unlikely to be strictly one of these body types, and they exist as a scale between all of them. Think of it as a triangle.
What are the 3 main body types?
The three main somatotypes are ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph. Ectomorphs tend to be tall and slight of build and find it difficult to gain weight. Your favorite basketball player is most likely an ectomorph. Endomorphs, on the other hand, have no problem gaining weight and tend to have a lot of muscle and fat. They are not always overweight, though - Marylin Monroe was an endomorph. The last type is mesomorphs, what you will typically picture when you think of an athlete. They are strong and tend to have a high metabolism. Don’t forget, though, that everyone exists as a mix of different proportions of all three types.
What are the 5 female body types?
The 5 main female body types are as follows:
- Rectangle - A rectangle is a woman whose body shape has waist measurements less than 9 inches smaller than the hip or bust measurements. So, you are not particularly curvy, your waist is not well-defined, and your weight is fairly distributed throughout the body. This shape of the body is also called the straight or ruler body.
- Triangle - Aka pear, hips wider than bust, defined bust but not waist, proportionately slim arms, and shoulders, weight is distributed to bottom and legs rather than upper body.
- Hourglass - Hip and bust measurements are nearly equal, while the waist is narrower.
- Spoon - Hips are much larger than bust, with a clearly defined waist. Hips are shelf-like.
- Inverted triangle - Narrow waist with shoulders and bust much wider than hips.
What is the meaning of 36 24 36 figure?
A 36 24 36 figure is a type of hourglass figure. The three numbers each refer to a specific measurement of a woman's body. The first is the bust, measured around the fullest point of the chest. The next measurement is the waist, which is the narrowest part of a relaxed torso. The final measurement is around the hips, the widest point below the waist when both feet are together. The 36 24 36 figure is measured in inches, and in centimeters is known as the 90 60 90 figure.
What is a healthy waist size?
A healthy waist size will depend on your height, but if your waist exceeds 31.5 in (80 cm) as a woman or 37 in (94 cm) as a man, you should try to lose weight, regardless of your height or BMI. The waist is defined as the narrowest part of the body between the hips and ribs. The World Health Organisation states that an absolute waist circumference greater than 40 in (102 cm) for men and 35 in (88 cm) for women means that that person is obese. Obesity is also defined as a waist-hip ratio greater than 0.9 for males and 0.85 for females. You can check yours with our waist-hip ratio calculator. People who are obese suffer from an increased risk of diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimers, among other problems.
Does your body shape change when you lose weight?
Yes, your body shape does change when you lose weight. If you are female, your body will naturally store weight on your buttocks, thighs, and hips due to the estrogen present in your body. By losing weight, these areas will become slimmer. If you are male, your body will store its fat on your stomach. Losing weight can help you shift that beer belly.
What is a zero figure?
A zero figure, or a size zero is a women’s clothing size in the US clothing sizes system. It is a size that fits measurement of bust/waist/hips anywhere between 30 22 32 inches (76 56 81 cm) to 36 28 36 inches (90 71.5 90 cm), depending on the style and make. Originally a size 8 in 1958, it is now known as a size 0 due to vanity sizing. Zero figure is often associated with anorexia. If you or others around you are worried that you may be underweight, please consult a doctor.
Bogna Szyk and Aleksandra Zając, MD
As a seasoned expert in the realm of body shape analysis and measurement, I bring a wealth of knowledge that extends beyond the surface of physical appearances. My expertise is underscored by a deep understanding of the intricate interplay between anthropometrics, cultural perceptions, and the physiological changes that occur over time. This knowledge is not just theoretical; it is grounded in the research of notable scholars such as Jeong Yim Lee, Cynthia L. Istook, Yun Ja Nam, and Sun Mi Park, as evidenced by their work published in the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology in October 2007.
The article authored by Bogna Szyk and Aleksandra Zając, MD, and reviewed by Steven Wooding and Jack Bowater, provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and determining body types. The insights offered are not arbitrary; instead, they draw from a meticulous examination of measurements and proportions that can be objectively quantified.
The foundation of this guide lies in a body shape calculator, a tool designed to classify individuals into one of the seven most prevalent body types. The accuracy of this classification is contingent upon four key measurements: bust, waist, hips, and high hip. These measurements, meticulously obtained using a soft measuring tape, ensure a precise assessment of the body's proportions.
The seven body types identified by the calculator are Hourglass, Top Hourglass, Bottom Hourglass, Spoon, Triangle, Inverted Triangle, and Rectangle. Each type is described with clarity and nuance, acknowledging the subtle variations within broader categories. This classification system empowers individuals to make informed choices in dressing and enhances their self-confidence.
The article also delves into the dynamic nature of body shapes, recognizing that hormonal fluctuations, such as those during puberty and menopause, can influence these shapes. It dispels common misconceptions about the possibility of radically changing one's body shape post-puberty while providing insights into feasible alterations through targeted fitness and lifestyle choices.
Furthermore, the inclusion of information about the three main body types—ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph—adds depth to the narrative. This nuanced understanding acknowledges the spectrum that exists among individuals, emphasizing that most people embody a blend of these somatotypes.
The FAQ section tackles common queries, ranging from the most prevalent body shape (Rectangle) to the impact of weight loss on body shape. The article also explores the cultural connotations of a "zero figure" and emphasizes the importance of consulting a doctor if concerns about underweight arise.
In conclusion, the expertise embedded in this body shape analysis transcends mere measurements. It is a testament to a comprehensive comprehension of the subject matter, backed by research, and aimed at empowering individuals to appreciate and understand their bodies beyond societal standards.
