Body Shape Types Explained: All You Need to Know
From measurement ratios to visual characteristics, this guide breaks down every body shape type so you can understand how the classification system works and where you fit in.
The Short Answer
Body shape types are classified by comparing bust, waist, and hip ratios. The five main types are apple, pear, rectangle, hourglass, and inverted triangle. The FFIT research system and SizeUSA survey data form the scientific basis for these classifications.
How Body Shape Classification Works
Body shape classification is not based on opinion or visual impression alone. It relies on mathematical ratios between three key measurements: bust circumference, waist circumference, and hip circumference. The FFIT (Female Figure Identification Technique) system, developed through academic research, established standardized thresholds for each category.
The system compares these measurements as ratios rather than absolute numbers. This means that a woman who is 5'2" and a woman who is 5'10" can have the same body shape type if their proportional relationships are similar. Size is irrelevant to shape classification.
The Ratios Behind Each Shape
Each body shape is defined by specific ratio thresholds. The following table shows the proportional relationships that determine each classification:
| Shape | Key Ratio | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Waist ≥ Bust or Hips | Waist is the widest or close to the widest measurement. Bust-to-hip difference is small. |
| Pear | Hips > Bust by 5%+ | Hip measurement exceeds bust by at least 5%. Waist is defined relative to hips. |
| Rectangle | Bust ≈ Waist ≈ Hips | All three measurements fall within a narrow range, with waist less than 25% smaller than bust. |
| Hourglass | Bust ≈ Hips, Waist 25%+ smaller | Bust and hips within 5% of each other. Waist at least 25% smaller than both. |
| Inverted Triangle | Bust/Shoulders > Hips by 5%+ | Shoulder or bust measurement exceeds hips by at least 5%. Waist is less defined. |
The 5 Main Body Shape Types in Detail
Apple Shape
The apple shape is defined by a midsection that is proportionally wider than the hips. Weight tends to accumulate around the abdomen and bust area. The legs are often lean relative to the torso. About 14% of women fall into this category per the SizeUSA data.
Key identifier: waist measurement is close to or exceeds the hip measurement.
Pear Shape
The pear shape features hips that are noticeably wider than the shoulders and bust. The waist is usually well-defined, and weight is carried in the lower body. Approximately 20% of women have this body shape according to survey data.
Key identifier: hip measurement exceeds bust measurement by 5% or more.
Rectangle Shape
The rectangle shape has bust, waist, and hip measurements that are relatively uniform. The waist is not significantly narrower than the bust or hips. This is the most common body shape, accounting for approximately 46% of women.
Key identifier: waist-to-bust difference is less than 25%, and bust-to-hip difference is within 5%.
Hourglass Shape
The hourglass shape is characterized by a bust and hips that are roughly equal with a significantly smaller waist. Despite being the most discussed shape in media, only about 8% of women have a true hourglass figure.
Key identifier: bust and hips within 5% of each other, waist at least 25% smaller.
Inverted Triangle Shape
The inverted triangle shape has shoulders and bust that are broader than the hips. The upper body appears wider, and the lower body is comparatively narrow. About 5% of women have this body shape.
Key identifier: shoulder or bust measurement exceeds hip measurement by 5% or more.
Discover Your Shape Type
Our calculator uses the same ratio-based approach described above. Enter your measurements and get your body shape type identified automatically.
Common Misconceptions About Body Shape Types
There are several widespread misconceptions about body shape classification that are worth addressing:
- Misconception: Your body shape is determined by weight. In reality, body shape is about proportions, not size. Weight can shift where fat is stored but does not change your bone structure.
- Misconception: Hourglass is the "normal" shape. It is actually one of the rarest, at roughly 8% of women. Media overrepresentation makes it seem more common.
- Misconception: You should try to change your body shape. Your skeletal proportions are genetically determined. Fashion and styling can create visual effects, but the goal should be to dress for your shape, not change it.
- Misconception: Body shape determines health. Health is influenced by many factors including fitness, nutrition, and genetics. No single body shape is inherently healthier than another.
- Misconception: Body shape categories are rigid. Many women fall between two categories. The system is a guide, not a strict rule. Borderline cases are completely normal.
How to Find Your Body Shape Type
Finding your body shape requires three measurements and a simple comparison:
- 1. Measure your bust at the fullest point, keeping the tape measure level around your body.
- 2. Measure your waist at the narrowest point of your torso, typically just above the navel.
- 3. Measure your hips at the widest point around your hips and buttocks.
- 4. Compare the ratios using the thresholds outlined in the table above, or use a calculator tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are body shape types determined?
Body shape types are determined by comparing the ratios between three key measurements: bust, waist, and hips. The FFIT (Female Figure Identification Technique) system uses mathematical formulas to classify body shapes based on the differences between these measurements. For example, if your bust-to-hip difference is less than 3.6% and your bust-to-waist difference is less than 25%, you are classified as a rectangle.
Are there more than 5 body shape types?
The 5-type system (apple, pear, rectangle, hourglass, inverted triangle) is the most widely used classification. Some systems include additional types like spoon, diamond, or oval, but these are generally variations of the main five. The FFIT system validated through research that five categories cover the vast majority of female body proportions.
Can my body shape type change over time?
Your skeletal structure, which forms the basis of your body shape, does not change. However, factors like weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy, aging, and hormonal changes can alter fat distribution, making your proportions appear different. Your underlying frame remains the same, but your apparent body shape may shift between categories.
What is the difference between body shape and body type?
Body shape and body type are often used interchangeably in fashion, referring to proportional classifications like apple, pear, or hourglass. In fitness contexts, body type sometimes refers to somatotypes (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph), which describe metabolism and muscle-building tendencies. In this guide, we use both terms to refer to the proportional classification system.
Do body shape types apply to all ethnicities?
The 5 body shape types apply across all ethnicities, as they are based on proportional ratios rather than specific measurements. However, research including the SizeUSA study shows that the distribution of body shapes varies across ethnic groups. For example, certain shapes may be more or less common in different populations, but all five types occur in every group.
Is body shape type the same as clothing size?
No. Body shape type describes your proportions, while clothing size describes your overall measurements. Two women who wear the same dress size can have completely different body shapes. A size 10 rectangle and a size 10 hourglass have different proportional relationships even though they may share a similar overall size.