BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index
Healthy weight: 53-72 kg
BMI Categories
BMI is a general indicator and may not be accurate for athletes, elderly, or pregnant women. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value calculated from your height and weight that provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people. Developed by Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet in the 1830s, BMI remains one of the most widely used screening tools for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
The BMI formula divides your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared (kg/m²). This calculator handles the math automatically—simply enter your measurements in either metric or imperial units to get your result instantly.
Understanding Your BMI Results
Health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), use standardized BMI categories to assess weight status:
- Below 18.5 (Underweight): May indicate nutritional deficiency or other health issues requiring medical attention
- 18.5 to 24.9 (Normal): Associated with the lowest health risks related to weight
- 25.0 to 29.9 (Overweight): Increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension
- 30.0 and above (Obese): Significantly elevated health risks; medical consultation recommended
Limitations of BMI
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass, which means muscular athletes may have a "high" BMI despite having low body fat. Similarly, older adults who have lost muscle mass may have a "normal" BMI while carrying excess fat.
For a complete picture of your health, consider combining BMI with other measurements like waist circumference, body fat percentage, and regular health checkups with your doctor.
BMI for Different Populations
Standard BMI categories were developed primarily from studies of European populations. Research suggests that health risks may occur at different BMI thresholds for various ethnic groups. For example, some Asian populations may experience increased health risks at lower BMI values, while some Pacific Islander populations may have different optimal ranges.