Been curious but afraid to ask? To answer the question “What is the Ideal Butt”, I have decided to turn to science – it may surprise you to learn this, but there is scientific research out there on this topic! I wonder if the scientists just wanted to stare at a number of butts all day… “For science!” (of course).

My Take on What the Ideal Butt is

I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again upfront: in my opinion, there is no such thing as one ideal butt. If you say a butt is ‘ideal’, you need to be specific about what you mean.

Ideal for what? Ideal to who? In what culture or context?

In this post I’ll talk about an ideal butt being one that looks good and is attractive, but keep in mind that there are other ways a butt can be ideal (some examples: ideal for maximum comfort when sitting – you might want an extra-padded kind of butt for this!, or ideal for providing maximum sprint power and speed – for athletes).

Beauty is In the Eye of the Beholder

I’m a strong believer that we all have different personal preferences as to what defines beauty. I won’t even say that this is just my opinion, because I know it to be a true fact.

It is true that society often has an overall ‘standard’ for beauty, but if this doesn’t match your own, then don’t even take it on board! I can assure you that not everyone thinks that what popular society deems as a beautiful butt is correct for all individuals.

beauty in the eye of beholder

So while the below will talk about what is ‘generally accepted’ as features that are considered to be beautiful in a butt, please remember that it is subject to the whims of fashion and society’s idea of ‘beauty’ at the time. What follows is no way set in stone, and people may agree or disagree with the content.

What is considered beautiful today might well be out of style in a decade’s time. Just look at the ‘big butt’ trend that was popular around 2015, which has lost a bit of steam.

You only have to look at the fashion of the 1920’s to see a real-life example of this. Back then the ‘flapper’ look was considered fashionable and women would play down their curves with straight-waisted clothing, be flat chested, and actually strive for a ‘look’ of immaturity or masculinity.

The Ideal Butt is One You’re Confident With

The standard for beauty definitely changes across cultures and time periods, but one thing does stay constant throughout, and that is the notion that confidence is sexy. Being confident and happy with your own butt, and determining your own ‘ideal’ is a must when it comes to cultivating a healthy self-image and being considered beautiful.

So, What Is Thought of as the Ideal Butt These Days?

Phew! With all of that being said, I wanted to share a few articles I found that talk about the idea of beauty when it comes to the female buttocks.

The scientific literature out there on this topic is due to of the availability of plastic surgery these days for body augmentation, so articles relating to the appearance of the butt often discuss perceptions of beauty in the buttocks, determining what key features are considered ‘beautiful’, and trying to create these features through cosmetic surgery procedures.

I discovered a few different evaluation models in my research.

Different Types of Butt Shapes

One technique by Mendieta [1] classifies the buttocks by analyzing the anatomy that gives rise these four different butt shape categories.

Waist to Hip Ratios

Then there is the age-old theory of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). If you haven’t heard of this one before, it is widely agreed that a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.7 in women is generally found to be the most attractive by men [2].

Waist-to-hip ratio can be found by taking a circumference measurement around your waist, and again around your hips. Divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement to find your WHR.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculationwaist measurement

Here is an example of how I’ve calculated my own WHR.

Waist circumference:  27.5 inches

Hip circumference: 34.5 inches

WHR:  27.5 ÷ 34.5 = 0.80

 

Other Ways to Determine the Ideal Butt

Other authors [3] have identified four features of the buttocks that are considered to be beautiful.

Four Features of an Ideal Butt
  • The lateral depression (or ‘butt dents’)
  • Sacral ‘back’ dimples (also called the supragluteal fossettes)
  • Sacral triangle (V-shaped crease formed at the top of the buttocks cleft)
  • The infragluteal fold

 

Picture taken from page 10 of "Body Contouring: Art, Science, and Clinical Practice" By M. Shiffman & A. Di Giuseppe
Picture taken from  the book “Body Contouring: Art, Science, and Clinical Practice” by M. Shiffman and A. Di Giuseppe (pg 10)
What is the Ideal Amount of Butt Projection

This same team wanted to know, what is the ideal amount of butt projection? Too little can make a butt look flat, but too much can also look disproportional.

To answer this question, they developed their own system to evaluate the aesthetics of the gluteal region that involved mapping particular landmarks and determining the ratio that was considered to be most aesthetically pleasing based on a (subjective) analysis of 1,320 photographs of naked women’s butts. (I’m sure some guys wouldn’t mind being a part of that research team!)

The points A, B, C and D are determined, and the ‘ideal’ amount of butt projection was recommended at a ratio of CA:AB  being 2:1. You can find the article reproduced here if you are interested. Unfortunately though, it is specific to white females, so doesn’t give much guidance to males or BIPOC, which is disappointing. I will keep an eye out for a more all-encompassing model and update this article if I come across anything!

Cuenca-Guerra R, Lugo-Beltran I. Beautiful buttocks: characteristics and surgical techniques. Clin Plast Surg 2006; 33:321–332
“Fig. 1. (A) Greater trochanter, (B) Point of maximal projection of the mons veneris, (C) Point of maximal gluteal projection, (D) Anterior superior iliac spine. The CB line points to the maximal ideal projection of the buttocks. The ideal proportion is a 2:1 ratio between AB and AC.”                          Picture and Caption Source: Fig1 of Cuenca-Guerra R, Lugo-Beltran I. “Beautiful buttocks: characteristics and surgical techniques. “Clin Plast Surg 2006; 33:321–332

If you want to check your own butt to see how you measure up to this ‘ideal’, you can check your ratios at home. Find the corresponding points by pressing around the area to locate the skeletal landmarks and see how you shape up.

  • (A) is the head of your femur (thigh bone). You should be able to feel this as a bony projection on the outer side of your butt.
  • (B) is the front of your pubic bone
  • (C) is the rear-most point of your butt
  • (D) is the front-most part of your pelvis or ‘hip bone’. Feel around for this bony landmark where you would place your hands if you were to put them on your hips.

Since posture can affect the appearance of your butt projection, you may need to ensure your pelvis is not tilted too far forward or backwards (tilt your pelvis so that points B and D are in line if necessary) before drawing your lines.

I sighted myself up roughly in the mirror this morning and found that I have a ratio of about 1.5:1.

So I personally am a bit flat in the butt region according to this analysis method, but I still love my butt!

 

How do you shape up using this method? What’s the best feature of your butt that you love?

References:
  1. Mendieta CG. Classification system for gluteal evaluation. Clin Plast Surg 2006; 33:333–346
  2. Singh D. Universal allure of the hourglass figure: an evolutionary theory of female physical attractiveness. Clin Plast Surg 2006; 33:359–370
  3. Cuenca-Guerra R, Lugo-Beltran I. Beautiful buttocks: characteristics and surgical techniques. Clin Plast Surg 2006; 33:321–332
  4. Shiffman, Melvin A. and Di Giuseppe, Alberto. Body Contouring: Art, Science, and Clinical Practice. New York: Springer, 2010. Print. (View google books preview here)
What is the Ideal Butt? See How Yours Compares Against These Magic Ratios
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26 thoughts on “What is the Ideal Butt? See How Yours Compares Against These Magic Ratios

  • November 26, 2014 at 3:56 pm
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    If only my butt was a little bigger, naturally! I seem to get this great curvy butt when I’m pregnant, but then it disappears. LOL 😉
    Nice post.

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  • July 20, 2015 at 3:14 pm
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    Wow, you really break it down! I’m pretty impressed how you explain the why and how. Do you have videos on proper technique?

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    • July 20, 2015 at 9:37 pm
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      Sure do Justin, you can find some exercises (including video instructions) and form tips on my best butt exercises index page. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  • December 20, 2016 at 4:25 pm
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    Heyy Jolie!Your site is just great!I wanted to ask you(might me a dumb question),how you measure the 2:1 ratio?

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    • December 23, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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      Thanks Emmeline!
      To measure the CA:AB ratio, first take a look at the last diagram in this post.
      You need to work out where the points marked A, B and C are located on your body (use the descriptions in the post to see where each point is).
      Then measure between points C and A – this is the CA measurement, which is the first number in the ratio.
      After that, measure between point A and B. This is the AB measurement.
      So for example, if you measured 7″ for your CA and 4″ for your AB, then your ratio would be 7:4, which can be simplified (7 divided by 4) as a ratio of 1.75:1
      Someone with a 2:1 ratio might have CA:AB measurements of 8″:4″.

      Hope this makes sense!
      xo Jolie

      Reply
  • November 6, 2018 at 7:36 am
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    According to this my WHR is .7 and my butt projection ratio is 2.5:1

    I really liked all these methods and the insight they provided

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    • November 8, 2018 at 7:00 am
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      Awesome, thanks Brenna! I’m glad you found it useful. 2.5:1 and a 0.7 WHR – wow, you must have a nice booty and tiny waist – go girl!

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    • August 1, 2020 at 4:11 pm
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      I have round butt and I don’t like it .. I really want to flat them. Which exercise should I go for. .can u please tell me …?

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      • August 2, 2020 at 1:18 pm
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        Hi Jessi, I would recommend checking out our post on butt anatomy and that may help you to understand what parts of your butt might be contributing to the roundness that you don’t like. If it’s bone anatomy unfortunately there’s not much that you can do, but if it is due to fat or muscle you may be able to slightly influence the shape of your butt.
        Another thing you could try is instead of targeting your butt, target your attention at other parts of your body. For example you could try to thicken up your waist or thighs somehow and if your butt stays the same shape it would look smaller relative to the other nearby body parts. You may also want to look into shapewear which can help compress and tighten excess booty to a degree. Clothing choices to minimize your butt can also help create the illusion of a flatter butt if you choose your clothes wisely.

        Reply
  • September 25, 2020 at 6:25 am
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    Hey ! Just a quick question, in case I missed it or something, but what does a lower WHR mean ? Like I got a 0.65. My waist is around 26 and my hips are 40. Thanks !

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    • October 22, 2021 at 6:03 am
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      Hi Alayah! A lower WHR just means you have a smaller waist compared to your hips. Often this is perceived as more desirable (but beauty is in the eye of the beholder) as it probably means you have more of a lovely hourglass shape!

      Reply
  • December 5, 2020 at 3:09 am
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    my waist is 27.5 and hip is 38
    too big?
    and i am just 14 ….will turn on this december

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    • December 7, 2020 at 10:32 am
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      Not “too” anything Sanvi, everyone is different and this is just a bit of a fun test. I think a lot of females would love to have those kind of numbers though!
      What matters most though is you being happy with your body, I feel like this attitude just makes life a whole lot more pleasant.

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  • January 7, 2021 at 4:51 pm
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    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing quite like a nice butt. I’m so glad there is at least one female who truly gets it. That’s why I love this site. As a guy sometimes it gets hard because you feel like people think you’re superficial for wanting a female with a great booty. Of course, that isn’t the end all be all. Trust me, it’s not. A hot girl with the IQ of a cinder block and no intellect or personality is not cute. No butts about it. I always describe the phenomena to other guys like this: An amazing butt can make a girl who maybe isn’t very attractive otherwise, to (and I’m going to have to really tread carefully here), extremely attractive. I don’t know what it is. I think part of the turn-on is that she cares enough about herself not to look all droopy and crusty. That in itself is attractive to me. Guys are wired a bit differently as you know.

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    • January 9, 2021 at 1:48 pm
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      Thanks for the perspective Stu, I always find it interesting to hear others’ opinions on the matter!

      Reply
  • December 18, 2021 at 2:02 am
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    Mine,WHR .76,butt 1.42:1..thanks..and working on it…a big help

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    • December 21, 2021 at 11:46 am
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      Nice, thanks for sharing your info! I feel like the ‘ideals’ that were listed in the studies may not be representative of the ‘normal’ distribution of measurements across human population. So please take it with a grain of salt!

      Reply
  • February 22, 2022 at 1:01 pm
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    I think I’m in the wrong body lol I’m male with a curvy figure and prominent bottom

    Reply
  • July 6, 2022 at 7:08 pm
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    Hi Jolie, loved reading this today. Just a question about the WHR left though. I have a waist of 26″ and my ass is 34.5″ so my WHR is 0.753 does this mean I have WHR of 0.7? If not does this mean I have a small ass/ is it a desireable size?
    For mmore info if need: I weigh 115lbs, I’m 5’5, heart shape ass, 32″bust, 26″ waist, 34.5″butt.
    Thankyou!

    Reply
    • July 8, 2022 at 11:26 am
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      Hi Raven! Thanks for the feedback and sharing your stats. The WHR of 0.7 that was mentioned was just from that paper that is listed (from a plastic surgery journal – so keep in mind they’re probably trying to promote plastic surgery as a solution to achieve ‘optimal attractiveness’!). I’m guessing they If yours was 0.753 that is just a little more and it’s just reflecting that the visual difference between your waist and butt might not be as drastic as someone who has a WHR of 0.7, but at 34.5″ your butt is your largest body measurement so you’ve probably got a pretty bangin’ hourglass shape by the sounds of it!

      In my opinion, the concept of ‘desirable’ is too subjective to be able to make a judgement call on. I think it really depends on the individual who is doing the judgement, because everyone is different. I would suggest the the most important person who you would want to consider you desirable would be you – I think having a positive relationship with yourself and your body is super valuable as it affects your confidence too (which is usually quite attractive to others).

      Reply
  • August 12, 2022 at 10:21 am
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    Hi, do you know of any actresses or otherwise famous people that line up with those two ratios? Having a reference point to see what it looks like might be helpful for people to decide if they’d want to strive to achieve the given ideal ratios.

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    • August 17, 2022 at 10:25 pm
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      Hi Johny, no idea sorry. I actually wrote this post as a bit of fun and games, not with the intention that people would be striving for a certain ideal or to fit into someone’s arbitrary definition of ‘attractive’. In my opinion, it’s not helpful to work towards comparing oneself to a certain number or measurement, especially since we’re all built so differently physically.

      Reply
  • December 11, 2022 at 7:59 pm
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    my WTH ratio is 0.81 being a male I guess this is not so common for a man?

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    • December 13, 2022 at 8:55 am
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      Interesting Arturo, I do wonder what’s typical for men! I think it would matter greatly on so many other factors (for example, if you have any belly fat), but if your WHR is 0.81 I’m guessing you either have a fairly trim midsection, or a nice butt going on!

      Reply

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