I like people watching. Everyone is so different. But no matter what size they are, people generally have one of the four body shapes: ruler, hourglass, pear, or cone. Your body shape is pre-determined genetically and does not change whether you are taller, skinner, or fatter.
Your body shape depends on how your weight is distributed on your frame. You can be overweight and still considered a ruler. In my early 20s, I mistakenly believe that my body shape is a pear. I figured that since the bottom half of me is heavier than the top, I must be a pear since I was too big to be a ruler (little did I know that 10 years later I would roll my eyes at that comment while I sit here writing. Such naiveté is only cute on the young.).
The 4 body shapes and where the weight is distributed
One body shape is not better than the other. Your body shape only determines where your body distributes your weight. Your body shape is like the color of your eyes; it is determined by the genetic lottery pool in your genes. Sure some people might have a preference for blue eyes, but it does not mean there is something wrong if you happen to have hazel or brown eyes. You just need to make the best of what you are born with.
Ruler
- Little to no difference in the measurements between your chest, waist, and hips
- Tend to store excess weight in your midsection
- Very few curves
Hourglass
- Significant difference in the measurements between your chest and waist (and hips and waist)
- Tend to store excess weight in your upper and lower body, but more slender at the waist
- Curvy
Pear
- Significant difference in the measurements between your waist and hips (with the measurement on your hips considerably larger).
- Tend to store excess weight in your hips, thighs, and butt
- Eyes tend to zero in on the lower half of your body when looking in the mirror
Cone
- Significant difference in the measurements between your chest and waist (with the measurement on your chest considerably larger).
- Tend to store excess weight in your back, chest, arms, and stomach
- Eyes tend to zero in on the upper half of your body when looking in the mirror
Using your measurements to determine your body shape
It is more difficult to determine your body shape when you are overweight. If you are anything like me, you probably only see your trouble spots. Many women tend to think they are pears because they naturally have curves in the lower half of their bodies or are focused on the size of their thighs when they are overweight. Your body shape is not determined by your size or your weight. It is determined by how your weight is distributed throughout your body. You can be small breasted and still be considered a cone. It is the circumference around your chest that counts, not your cup size.
The three measurements you need to take are the circumference around your chest, waist, and hip:
Chest: Place the tape across the middle of your breast or chest and around your back. Exhale before taking your measurement
Waist: Place the tape around your waist, 1-inch above your belly button
Hips: Place the tape at the widest spot below your hips but still above your butt
Compare your measurements to the guidelines below to find your body shape (remember it is the proportion that determines your body shape, not the numbers itself):
Ruler
- All three measurements tend to be relatively close with no significant differences between your chest, waist, and hips
- Common measurements: 34-30-35, 36-33-37, or 40-36-42 (notice how there is less than a 5-inch difference between any of the measurements)
Hourglass
- The measurements between the chest and hips are relatively close
- There is at least a 6-inch difference between your chest /hips and waist.
- Common measurements: 33-26-33, 36-30,38, 34-28-35, 39-32-38, or 42-35-44 (notice how there is less than 3-inch difference between the chest and hips)
Pear
- The measurements between the chest and waist are relatively close
- There is at least a 6-inch difference between your waist and hips
- Common measurements: 34-30-38, 36-30-44, or 32-28-39
Cone
- The measurements between the waist and hips are relatively close
- There is at least a 6-inch difference between your chest and hips
- Common measurements: 36-32-30, 40-36-33, or 34-30-29
Final Thoughts on Determining Your Body Shape
I used to believe that I am a pear when in reality I am a ruler. No matter how hard I work my abs, I cannot get that hourglass nip at the waist like my sister. I need to work with my body shape instead of fighting it. I can work on my upper body muscles to make my waist look smaller.
Your body shape only defines how the weight is distributed on your body. You can be overweight and still considered a ruler. I know when you think of ruler, the automatic image is a thin person. If you look closely at the measurement guidelines above, an overweight person can be a ruler; their measurements are just proportionally bigger. How is this information going to help your weight loss goals? The first step to identifying weight loss exercises for your body is to find your body shape.
If you want to find out more information about dressing for your body shape, you might want to read The Pocket Stylist. Please note that the book offers a good discussion about body shape and dressing, but does not offer as much photos as I would have liked.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
Photo by: 416style.
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I was once told that cognitive therapy doesn’t work because no one can change. I don”t know, but I choose not to believe that because then why even try.
I feel the same about this also. I think you can change your body shape. Genetics is only 10-20% of the equation. Rolfing, weight training, fat loss and gain (which are not the same in the same area), and so forth are variables. I could be wrong about all this, however
.-= Dr. J´s last blog ..The Drastic But Proven “50 Cent” Weight Loss Programs =-.
Gosh maybe this has been my problem all along! I am a ruler and I too thought I was pear shaped. How cool. Great read
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Baby Nightlight And Soother Activated By Sound =-.
Interesting post! I honestly thought I was a ruler, but I’m definitely an hourglass at 33-24-33. I figured since I wasn’t “gifted” in my upper body I couldn’t be an “hourglass”… lol!! Just found your blog and I’m
enjoying reading! Found you through an “eczema” google search!
@Dr. J – I also think genetics is a small part of the equation. Diet and exercise go a long way into getting us the body we want. Thanks for the comment.
@Kelly & Carla – it is interesting how many of us are rulers, but think we are pears. Thanks for the comment.
I am a cone shape and measure in at 38-29 30
I am still not sure what I am. Although, I think I may be ruler by me measureming 36-33-38. However, I am not sure if I am hour glass?? Help
Mandy – Sounds like you are a bottom heavy ruler to me. To be an hourglass, you need about 5-6 inches difference between your waist and chest/hip. I am also a bottom heavy ruler. Your measurements are almost identical to mine.
I have no clue what I am. For one thing I’m never the same size on any two consecutive days. Another thing is I bloat if I eat anything my body dislikes.
In the morning I could wake up 44-35-40 and by the evening be 44-40-40.
At a 35 inch waist I have a six-pack. However I am very rarely there, only if I have not eaten anything that would cause me to bloat, and have maintained that for two or so months. Then it lasts a week and poof it’s gone.
Most typically I’m about 44-38-40.
Revenwyn – Wow that is some bloating! But if you are typically a 44-38-40, then you are probably a cone shape. Are you sure there is nothing else going on in your digestive tract that might be causing this bloating? IBS? I am not a doctor, but have you tried taking a daily probiotic supplement for a month to see if it might help if the bloating is a digestive problem?
Hey, I am going to be a braidsmaid for my sister in October and when i was measured I was slightly diffrent from what i thought. I think i am more slightly bottom heavy. My measurements are 36-33-40, explains bigger thighs and calves. I have also been told by my doctor that i have several fiborids which have enlarged my stomach/ womb so without the fiborids my waist would be smaller, I am estrogen dominant!
I am I still a ruler or a pear?
Mandy – Your measurements changed drastically since the last time you wrote. I still think you are a bottom heavy ruler like me. However, your fibroids is making you appear more like you are a pear for the time being since there is more than 6 inches between your waist and hip. But once those fibroids shrink or you remove them surgically, your body should return to being a bottom heavy ruler.
hi i have no clue what shape i am im 37 32 40 help?????????
Rachlou2 – I would consider you a bottom heavy hourglass.
Am 34- 33-40 wfich body type iam i
Chinedu – you are definitely a pear body shape since your hips are more than 6 inches larger than your waist and your chest is approximately the same as your waist.
38-31-39. I’m guessing I’m an hour glass. i definitely feel like a ruler though. Great post.
Cherelle – yup definitely an hourglass. Thanks for the comment.
with measurements of 35-29-25 im guessing im an hourglass. Always thought i was more of a pear shaped figure. But just as you say as soon as I look into the mirror the first thing my eyes scrutinize are the thighs. Thanks alot for this.
sorry 35-29-35 i meant
What am I? 34 33 39 my friends said I am a pear and when I work out my upper body gets very muscular so I feel like a triangle ;(
DJ – You are a pear. The reason why your upper body gets very muscular is because there is less fat to cover your muscles in your upper body. You could be working it real hard for the same duration in both your upper and lower body, but you would not see the muscle definition quite as clearly in your lower body because your body shape tends to store fat in your lower body. And since your upper body can look spectacular without as much effort as your lower body, be sure to show them off.
my measurements are 35-29-40 what body type am i???
Beth – You are a bottom heavy hourglass. Notice that your chest and hip are both +6 inches larger than your waist. This means your waistline is your best asset. But since you are bottom heavy, you might want to wear clothing that draws the eyes upward like tops with a cowl tops that helps balance out your portions.
i’m 34-26.5-34. what does that make me?
Karamia – you have an hourglass body type.
My measurements are 31-26-32is that and hourglass? I always though I was a pear as I find it hard to lose weight on the bottom half of my body and my arms are really skinny.
Siofra – you have a pear body shape. But with your measurements you can probably get away with looking hourglass with some strategic clothing that draws the eyes upward like v necks.
Does it make a difference that I’m 14? I forgot to add that, sorry. Yeah I guessed that as I have a small bust. Thanks you.
Siofra – your age certainly makes a huge difference. Your body will continue to keep changing until you are about 18-20 years old. So your body shape is doing to be different than when you become an adult. Between 14 and 20, my bra size went up two cup sizes. Even between my sisters and me, we have a pear, hourglass, and ruler (me) in the same family. You just do not know how your body is doing to deposit the padding.
But the most important thing to do in your teens is to establish healthy habits (exercise and healthy eating). You can read my hormones in your teens to see what kind of healthy habits I recommend for teens. How you live your teens and your 20s is going to be reflected on your body in your 30s and later. Keep moving your body and become friends with fruits and veggies.
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been uncertain as to where to measure ( specifically if I measure around the breasts or just the circumframce like for a bra [36D so there is a significant difference between the two for me]) and had been debating if I was an hourglass or a pear, which turned into an argument after a relative said in complete certainty that I was a pear because I “had a big butt”, which isn’t even a necessary part to being pear if you are in shape. It’s a bubble butt–it’s the shape, not the proportion. Ive gained significant weight recently and thus have become hyper concious of trying to dress so that I hide the fact as best I can. Anyway, with an 11 inch difference between my chest and waist (45-34-47) I am fairly confident that I am an hourglass. Right?
38D, not 36, D. That’s the measurement under the chest I’m 43.5 above breast and under arms Sorry for the double post but I thought that would make a significant difference in case I’m wrong about the body type.
Jeka – The chest measurement is pretty much te middle of your breast (not the top or below). It sounds like you are a bottom heavy hourglass. At this means is that you store a little more fat in your bottom half compared to your top. But because of the obviously nip in your waist, you can hide a 5-10 pounds weight better than someone who is purely a pear or a cone.
I was wondering if you could tell me what shape I am because people keep saying “pear” or “hourglass” and I don’t know which one. I’m in my early 20s.
The tape measure said 37-31-41. Is this a weird size? I feel very top heavy because I’m a D or DD(having trouble knowing because every bra is so different) but my hips look wide and ugly in jeans. I’ve been hiding in puffy dresses and don’t know how to dress my body at all.
Thank you for any help.
I’m a little confused about a few things…
I see a lot of people’s measurments who are very tiny are for example 32-23-33. And they are most certainly not a hour glass figure they look more proportional completely throughout their body so would that make them ruler? It says if there is only a few inches of difference between all 3 measurements..but this very tiny person has a 10inch difference between the 2…don’t get it.
I’m also confused as to what the difference is between the bust measurement in all these ratios (32-23-33 for example) and your actual bra size. For example if you are a c cup..and you measure around the fullest part of your bust and it is 32inches does that make you a 32C. I thought they were 2 completely different measurements but then I read different celebs stats and it’ll say (32C-23-33)
Cheyenne – Your body type is based on how weight is distributed on your frame. You can be a size 2 or 16 and still be considered an hourglass. I think you are confusing your chest measure with your bra size. It has nothing to do with your bra size. To get your chest measurement for your body type, you measure the MIDDLE (FULLEST) of your breast.
To get the band width of your bra size, you measure UNDER your breast, add 5 inches to the measurement, and then round to the nearest even number.
For example, to get a 32 inch band width, the measurement you get under the breast is either 26 inches or 27 inches.
26 inches + 5 inches = 31 inches, round to nearest even number is 32 band width.
27 inches + 5 inches = 32 inches, round to nearest even number is 32 band width.
This is why, depending on the material of the bra, a 32 band width might be too tight for a 27 inch measurement.
To get your cup size you measure, the middle of your chest and subtract that number by your band width. 1 inch difference is A cup, 2 inch difference is B cup, etc.
So a 32C bra size is equal to a chest measurement of 29 inches or 30 inches for your body shape (add 3 inches to either 26 or 27 inches to the measurement taken under the breast).
This makes your example of 32C-23-33 actually 29-23-33 or 30-23-33. This still makes your celebs an hourglass, just a bottom heavy hourglass. Ha! So these celebs also have problems with their lower body being slightly heavier than their top half! But it looks better in print to use 32C-23-33 because it makes when them look more proportional. And since they are celebs, what makes you think the 32C is actually natural?
I hope this explanation clears up your confusion. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Dear – Please read my response to Cheyenne’s comment above. Your bra size has nothing to do with how your body shape distributes weight. You measure the middle of your breast for your chest measurement.
At 37-31-41, you are still considered an hourglass, but a bottom heavy hourglass. Your best feature is still that waistline, but you need to dress to draw the eyes up. A V neck A-line dress with flutter sleeves should do the trick. The V neck pulls the eyes up, an A-line is forgiving to the bottom half, and flutter sleeves adds balance (making the top visually take up more space).
Since this is not a fashion blog, I cannot give you advice on how to find the right jeans. But the right top on a pair of jeans can make a huge difference for your measurements. If your jeans look that bad, check to make sure your top is not too tight in the wrong places.
I took about 3 quizzes.
I’m 36-30-36.5
I thought I was an hourglass shape..But the quizzes so far I took told me that I need to be 9 inches difference between the waist and bust/hips in order to be an hourglass shape. I get the results of a ruler. Which is right? the 9 inches or 6 inches difference? I’m very confused.
Mona – I believe you are an hourglass. 6 inches is a significant difference. For a ruler, the waist is only a few inches smaller than the chest or hip measurement.
Thankyou very much for your *fast* response. I can finally know what shape I am.
I thought I was pear-shaped but someone just told me that I have an hour-glass shape. My measurements are 41-34-43 so where does that place me? Thanks!
I loved your post! While I’m trying to lose weight it definitely boosted my confidence, which I needed dearly. I’m 39-32-39, obviously a hourglass, which I didn’t realize till now :] In your exercising for your shape you cleared up a lot of questions [ that I think would have answered things for previous posters]
I definitely was thinking yes! I do have trouble with the back of my arms! yes I’m super heavy but people never realize just how heavy! And all that jazz.
Anyways, thanks for the boost and the dedication to creating a positive body image!
Help Help i don’t know what body shape i am ….. well im quite big anyway 52-40-50
Megan – I thought maybe my writing was confusing so people end up asking very similar questions. But from your response, maybe people are skimming through the entire post. Thanks for letting me know the body shape post is clear and not confusing.
Hi I am 38-34-40, idk what i am… you said measure the widest part of ur waisit
(below your waist) but not bellow your backside. But I went on another website it said measure the widest part of my waist and i got a 42
what kind of body i do have HELP PLZ
i wear a 36 bra, waist is 31 and if i suck in my belly my waist would be 28,5, my hips are 39
I used to be a trained at a modeling camp and one class we did body shapes/figures so each person got on stage and we called out what we were. when it was my turn I hot a room full of hourglass or x shape as they called it there and my face was —>O.o because I always beleived( and still do) that I am a pear shape. My measurements are 33-24-40. Sounds like a prominent pear to me. So does it also have to do with a persons shoulders? Seeing that I do have slightly broad shoulders for a girl mange a bit more and that they can give the illusion of a x shape?
Kiana – a person’s shoulders can definitely create an illusion of a hourglass shape for a pear body type. The reasoning behind the recommendation to lift heavy weights with low reps in body shape exercises post for a pear shape’s upper body is to strengthen (or bulk) the shoulder and arm area to help create that hourglass illusion.
Hi! Great article by the way. I was wondering, am I an hourglass? my measurements are 33-28-35. I’m petite also so does that make any difference?
Mia – you are a pear shape. Petite really does not make a difference because body shape is about how your body naturally distribute your weight. So if you gain weight, it is more likely to settle on your hips and thighs than elsewhere. As a ruler shape myself, my weight always show up on my waist. So unless I am very slim, my waistline is something I always want to hide.
Pear? nooooo! >< is there any way i could change my body shape to maybe an hourglass? Or is that determined by genetics? Also do you have any tips on how i could make my waist smaller?
Mia, I apologize! You are an hourglass. This is what happens when I reply to comments without drinking coffee in the morning. There is only 2 inch difference between your chest and hips. So you are a bottom heavy hourglass. This means weight gain will settle on hips first before hitting the chest, but it would still be distributed relatively evenly compare to a pear. Sorry for the scare. You can get ideas on how to exercise for your body shape here.
hahahah it’s quite alright. Thanks for correcting it. ^^ and thanks for the link.
Hey, thank you for posting this. I really like it.
I’m a bit confused though. You said that to be an hourglass there should be a 6-inch difference between chest and waist.
My measurements are 29.5-24-31.5. What does it make me? I always thought that I’m a pear shape.
And can you tell me how to make my waist smaller? Thanks anyway
Elena, your measurements make you a bottom heavy hourglass. What this means is that your bottom is only slightly bigger than your top, hence your belief that you are a pear shape. Your waist is already tiny! There are 5.5 inches difference between your chest and waist. This is as close as 6 inches as you can get. Since you are a real person and not a doll, you cannot expect to fit the mode completely. Dress to emphasize your waist. I would love to have a tiny waist like yours. Being a ruler shape, that is not going to happen for me in this lifetime.
Thanks for the reply..
I took some other quizzes yesterday, and I got different answers (hourglass, ruler, and pear). How could the answers be so different?
And does it make any difference if I measure it at night or in the morning?
Thank you so much…
Elena, the time of day you take your meaurements might matter if you have bloating. If that is the case, your measurements first thing in the morning might be more accurate.
Are the quzzes you taking asking generic type questions? Over the years, I’ve taken a few of those myself and yes, I am a pear, apple, and carrot, etc. The problem I have with these online quizzes are that they tend to be general. They do not take into account our actual measurements to determine our body shape.
Thank you for the explanation. I feel more comfortable and confident now that I know I am an hourglass shape.
Yes, the quizzes I took asked some generic questions like which one is my shoulder type (they show some pics) and else. So I think you’re right. I am not gonna believe everything I see on the internet anymore..
what body type do i have? 34-29-37
Kaylee – Your body shape is a hard one to categorize. You are either a bottom heavy hourglass or a pear.
You could be a pear since there are 8 inches between your waist and your hip.
However, the difference between your chest and hip is relatively close, only 3 inches apart. Your chest and waist is 5 inches apart, which is close enough to 6 inches. If the difference between your chest and waist is 4 inches, then I would place you as a pear.
I would categorize you as a bottom heavy hourglass. This means weight gain will settle on hips first before hitting the chest, but your weight is more evenly distributed in your frame when compare to a pear were the weight gain would always be noticeable in the hips.
Hi,
My measurements are 39-29-38 which sounds like hourglass but I’m not sure…
I have broad shoulders (16” straight on) which causes me to consider cone but then large breasts account for my bust measurement as underbust I am only 31”… I look like an hourglass in profile but not so much from the front – does this make me a ruler?!
Confused!
Jenny,
Your measurements make you an hourglass. If you have large shoulders, it could make you appear more cone shape. However, I think the fact that your chest is one inch bigger than your hips, you might subconsciously focus on your chest and think you are cone shape.
If you are truly a cone shape, the measurement of your waist and hips would be closer together, no more than 3 inches. But in your case, it is 9 inches. So you cannot be a cone.
Great article, I wanted to know am I a pear or hourglass? My measurements are 37-30-40, thanks so much!
Kesha, bottom heavy hourglass.
My measurements are 33 26 36. Some people tell me that I’m hourglass shape and some people say I’m pear shaped. My guess is that I’m bottom heavy hourglass.. is that accurate?
After I figure this out all I need to do is figure out what body type I am(ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph) so I can get a better idea of how my diet and exercise should be. I think I’m a combination and so far it’s really hard to find out from what I’m finding on google
Sharron,
That is correct. You are closer to being a bottom heavy hourglass than a pear. Here are some ideas on what type of exercises to do for your body shape.
Since January 2011, I have lost ~25 pounds. I have around 17 lbs to go before I am at the upper end of the normal weight range (25 lbs to the weight that I would like to be). I have been working out. I’m short (5 foot even) and 30 years old. As of right now, I measured at 40-35-38. I know that I need to work on decreasing my waist (I think to about 27 inches or so). I have gone from 40 inch hips to 38. I know that my waist has also decreased in the last year. I think that I haven’t lost much, if anything, in the chest region. I do know that I would qualify for “my girls” to be reduced. Anyway, based on what you have posted it seems like I would fit as a cone. But I know that v-neck shirts/tops tend to look the best on hourglass figures and I know that I prefer the v-neck tops (think I look better). I have been told that I have an hourglass figure by a seamstress but I assumed that she was just being nice. So, is cone shaped body the right one for me?
I should also say that when I gain weight it shows up in my abs region first (between my waistline and hips). I always seem to lose weight everywhere else first, especially in my upper body, face, and hips (with my thighs in close second).
Lindi, you are neither a cone or an hourglass. You are a top heavy ruler.
I am a bottom heavy ruler myself and any weight gain shows up in the waist first and seems to be the last place to lose it.
While there is a 5-inch difference between your chest and waist (which could easily be mistaken for cone), your hip to waist difference is only 3 inches, which is typical for rulers.
And the measurement between your hip and chest is only a 2-inch difference. 2-3 inches only signifies whether you tend to be bottom heavy or top heavy, but does not change your overall body shape.
And you are not an hourglass because your hips are too small.
My measurements are 36 28 39. For a long while I have considered myself a pear, but I’m starting to wonder if I’m more of an hourglass since I don’t have the thin shoulders pears are supposed to have – 17″ across the front. I’m rather muscular but not particularly defined anywhere, so no clues there about where I store fat. (My initial response would be in the thighs and rear, but I get the idea a lot of woman tend to think that, true or not.)
So, in your opinion, am I more pear-shaped or hourglass? (Or something else altogether?)
Nat, you are a bottom heavy hourglass. If your waist was a little thicker, then you could be a ruler, but you are not even close to being a pear. Normally you would not be able to tell where an hourglass store weight gain because it is so even distributed throughout the hourglass frame. If you have a ruler body shape, weight gain would show up on the stomach. And weight gain would show up at the hips and thighs first if you are a pear.
I measure 43″ on my bust, measuring the fullest part; waist 39″; and hips 48.” However, my stomach looks like the fattest part of me. What do you think?
Maggie, it looks like you have pear body type. If your chest was 2 inches larger, then I would say you are a bottom heavy hourglass. But the 5 inches between between your chest and hip is significant. So you are definitely a pear.
Your stomach probably look the fattest, because that is the first thing you notice. Your waist is not as fat as you think. There is still that nice nip at your waist. But a pear body shape tend to store fast at the hips and thighs. to find out how to make the most of your body type, check out my post on exercises for your body type.
i’m 33-25-34, i don’t know am i an hourglass or pear?
Rose, you are a bottom heavy hourglass. You are definitely not a pear.
I’m 41-34-43.. What does that make me?
Katie, you are a bottom heavy hourglass.
Thank you!
Loved your post! It’s been really helpful 
Hi Katie,
Thanks. You might also like this post about exercising for your body type.
Thanks a ton!
:-):-)
Hello, I have a question.
should you take your waist measurements in the narrowest point of the waist or one inch above the belly button.
Also I’m 42-36-47. that makes me a pear right?
Bianca,
Your waist is approximately 1 inch above your belly button. Depending on your body shape, the narrowest part of the waist could be much higher up, especially if you are a ruler body shape.
It sounds like you are a pear.
hey i found this very interesting.
i am 32-25-31 so i guess i’m an hourglass? helped alot thank you
Sarah,
Luck y you. You are an hourglass body shape.
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