How do you know if your hips are wide? A comprehensive guide

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that hip bone structure is primarily determined by genetics and is largely unchangeable after puberty? This authoritative guide will explain how do you know if your hips are wide by focusing on measurements, body shape, and genetic factors, debunking common myths along the way.

Quick Summary

Determining hip width involves measuring the circumference at the widest point of the hips and buttocks, understanding your body's overall proportions, and recognizing the role of genetics in skeletal structure and fat distribution.

Key Points

Measure Accurately: Use a flexible tape measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks with your feet together for the most objective assessment.
Genetics Play a Key Role: Your foundational hip bone structure is largely set by genetics during puberty and cannot be fundamentally altered.
Distinguish from Hip Dips: Hip dips are normal anatomical indentations based on your skeletal structure, not an indicator of overall hip width.
Calculate Your Waist-to-Hip Ratio: The WHR provides an objective look at your body's proportions, which can indicate whether your hips are proportionally wide.
Focus on Health and Positivity: Some research suggests larger hips may indicate a lower risk for certain health issues, but it's most important to prioritize overall health and body acceptance over chasing a specific aesthetic.

Measuring Your Hips Accurately

For the most objective assessment, the best method is to take a physical measurement. The hip measurement is taken around the largest or fullest part of the body below the waist, which for most people includes the buttocks and the widest point of the hip bones.

Step-by-Step Measuring Process

Here is how to get the most accurate hip measurement:

Stand correctly. Stand in front of a full-length mirror with your feet together to ensure the most accurate measurement.
Use a flexible tape measure. Wrap a soft, flexible tape measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks.
Ensure it's level. Keep the tape measure parallel to the floor and snug against your body without pinching your skin.
Read the measurement. Note the number where the tape measure overlaps.
Double-check. Repeat the process to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Genetics vs. Lifestyle: The Role of Skeletal Structure

Many people wonder what they can do to change their hip width, but the reality is that the underlying bone structure is largely genetic and is determined during puberty. Hormones like estrogen play a significant role in pelvic bone growth and fat distribution, which contributes to overall hip shape. This is why some individuals naturally have a more curvaceous or wider hip structure than others.

The Influence of Fat and Muscle

While you cannot change your bone structure, the perceived width of your hips is also influenced by muscle and fat distribution. The gluteal muscles (gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus) and the fat deposits around your hips and thighs contribute to your body's overall silhouette. For example, a person with a narrower bone structure can still develop a curvier shape by building muscle mass in the glutes through targeted exercises.

The Difference Between Wide Hips and Hip Dips

Many individuals confuse wide hips with hip dips, also known as violin hips. Hip dips are the inward curves that occur below the hip bone and are a normal part of your anatomy. They are caused by the space between your pelvic bone and the top of your femur, or thigh bone.

Wide Hips: Primarily defined by the width of your pelvic bone and overall body proportions.
Hip Dips: An indentation caused by skeletal structure and muscle tissue, not an indicator of overall hip width.

The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and What It Means

The waist-to-hip ratio is another way to assess your body shape. You can calculate it by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. While a low WHR is sometimes associated with a wider hip appearance, it is not the sole indicator. Body proportions and overall health are more complex. A low WHR is also linked to certain health benefits, which suggests that fat distribution can be a more important indicator of health than a single measurement. For more information on why WHR matters, you can read this resource: Waist-to-Hip Ratio: Why It Matters, How to Calculate It.

Comparison: Visual Cues vs. Measurements


Feature	Visual Cues	Physical Measurements
Skeletal Structure	The visible width of your pelvic bones and the curve of your body silhouette.	Unchangeable after puberty; determines your fundamental frame.
Fat and Muscle	The fullness and shape of your buttocks and thighs.	Can be influenced by diet and exercise.
Perception	How clothes fit, or how you compare your body to others.	An objective number derived from using a tape measure.
Accuracy	Subjective and prone to bias.	Provides a factual, unbiased metric.

The Health Aspects of Hip Width

Beyond aesthetics, some studies have shown that having a larger hip circumference may be associated with fewer adverse health outcomes, such as a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, especially when adjusted for BMI. This is related to how the body stores fat, with fat stored in the hips and thighs potentially being less harmful than visceral fat stored around the abdomen. However, hip width is not the sole determinant of health, and overall lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, are paramount.

Enhancing Hip Appearance and Body Positivity

For those who wish to enhance the appearance of their hips, specific exercises can help build the gluteal muscles and create a rounder, fuller shape. Exercises like squats, side lunges, and glute bridges are effective for this purpose. However, it's crucial to embrace body positivity and focus on overall health and strength rather than obsessing over an ideal shape. Your unique body structure is what makes you, and confidence comes from within, not from fitting a societal standard.

Conclusion

Knowing if your hips are wide depends on a combination of objective measurements and your body's overall proportions. While genetics determine your basic skeletal frame, muscle and fat distribution can be influenced by lifestyle choices. Whether you have wide, narrow, or 'average' hips, the key is to focus on a healthy lifestyle and self-acceptance, recognizing that all body types are valid and beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single 'wide' measurement, as it depends on your overall body frame and proportions. A hip circumference that is significantly larger than your waist measurement would generally be considered proportionally wider.

No, exercise cannot change your underlying bone structure. However, it can build muscle in the gluteal area, which can alter the appearance of your hips and make them look wider and more rounded.

Genetics are the primary determinant of your pelvic bone structure. Hormones, particularly estrogen during puberty, also influence bone growth and where your body stores fat, both of which contribute to your hip shape.

Hip dips are natural, inward curves caused by your skeletal anatomy and fat distribution. The presence of hip dips does not inherently mean you have wide or narrow hips, as they are a separate anatomical feature.

The WHR helps determine your body's proportions. A lower WHR (meaning your hips are significantly wider than your waist) is what people often refer to when they talk about having 'wide hips'.

Some studies suggest a larger hip circumference may be associated with a lower risk of certain health conditions, but hip width is not the sole determinant of health. A healthy lifestyle is the most important factor for overall wellness.

Yes, individuals with proportionally wider hips often find that clothes, especially pants and jeans, fit differently. It can be challenging to find styles that fit both a narrower waist and wider hip circumference, which is a common indicator of having wide hips.