Body Shape Guide
Body Shapes for Women
There are several common body shape categories for women, each based on how bust, waist, hip, and shoulder measurements relate to each other. This guide explains each shape and how to identify yours.
Find Your Body Shape
Use our free body shape calculator to find your body type from your measurements in seconds.
Overview
What Are Body Shapes?
Body shapes are categories that describe how weight and measurements are distributed across the body. They are based on the proportional relationship between your bust, waist, hips, and sometimes shoulders. Body shape labels are general guides, not rigid categories, and many people fall between two shapes.
The 7 Common Body Shapes
Types of Body Shapes for Women
Here is an overview of the most commonly described body shapes for women.
Hourglass
The hourglass shape is defined by a bust and hips that are roughly equal in measurement, with a noticeably narrower waist. The waist is typically around 25 to 30 percent smaller than the bust or hips. This proportion creates the classic hourglass silhouette.
Hourglass Guide →Pear (Triangle)
A pear body shape has hips that are noticeably wider than the bust. The lower body carries more weight and the upper body is relatively narrower. The waist may be defined. This is one of the most common body shapes for women.
Pear Body Shape →Apple
An apple body shape has a wider midsection with shoulders and hips that may be relatively narrower. Weight tends to sit around the waist, stomach, and upper body. The waist measurement may be close to or wider than the hip measurement.
Apple Body Shape →Rectangle (Straight)
A rectangle body shape has bust, waist, and hip measurements that are relatively close in size, creating a straighter, more uniform silhouette. The waist is not strongly defined compared to the bust or hips.
Rectangle Body Shape →Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle shape has shoulders or bust that are noticeably wider than the hips. The upper body is broader and the lower body is narrower. This shape is common in athletic body types with broad shoulders.
Inverted Triangle →Spoon
The spoon body shape is similar to the pear shape but with a more pronounced hip shelf. The hips are significantly wider than the bust and there is a distinct curve at the high hip area, creating a spoon-like outline.
Spoon Body Shape →Triangle
The triangle body shape describes a figure where the hips are wider than the bust. It is similar to the pear shape. Some systems use triangle and pear interchangeably, while others make a distinction based on the degree of hip-to-bust difference.
Triangle Body Shape →How to Find Your Shape
How Body Shapes Are Measured
Body shapes are determined by comparing your key measurements to each other, not by your weight or clothing size.
Take Four Measurements
You need bust, waist, high hip, and hip measurements to find your body shape. Optional shoulder measurements give more detail for inverted triangle or hourglass shapes.
Compare Proportions
Body shape rules compare your bust to your hips, your waist to your hips, and your waist to your bust. The relationships between these numbers determine your shape category.
Use a Calculator
Enter your measurements into our free body shape calculator for an instant result. The calculator works with inches or centimeters and includes both female and male body shapes.
Important Note
Body Shapes Are Estimates
Body shape categories are useful general guides but they do not describe every body perfectly. Many people fall between two shapes or change shape as their measurements change. Every body is different and no single category covers all variations.
Try the Calculator
Find your body shape estimate in seconds with our free calculator.
Body Shape Calculator →Measurement Guides
Not sure how to measure? Read our step by step guides for bust, waist, and hips.
Measurement Guides →Dressing for Your Shape
Learn how to dress for different body types with our style guides.
Style Guide →