BMI Calculator

Enter your height and weight — see your WHO category, healthy weight range, and what it means for your health.

Age (optional)

yrs

Affects interpretation for <18 and 65+

Sex (optional)

Used for interpretation context

Weight (kg)

Height (cm)

BMI

22.9

CategoryNormal weight

Healthy range (kg)

56.7 – 76.3

BMI Prime0.92below healthy

Normal weight

Health considerations: Lowest risk for weight-related disease

BMI Scale — Your Position

UnderweightNormalOverweightObese IObese IIObese III

Your BMI of 22.9 is in the healthy range (18.5–24.9). Your healthy weight range for your height is 56.7–76.3 kg.

BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnostic measure. It does not account for muscle mass, bone density, age, sex, or ethnicity. Consult a healthcare provider for a full health assessment. Source: WHO

Worked Examples

Adult male, 70 kg, 175 cm

BMI = 70 ÷ (1.75)² = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.9. Category: Normal weight. Healthy weight range for 175 cm: 56.7–76.2 kg. No action required — this BMI sits comfortably in the WHO healthy range.

Adult female, 58 kg, 160 cm

BMI = 58 ÷ (1.60)² = 58 ÷ 2.56 = 22.7. Category: Normal weight. Healthy weight range for 160 cm: 47.4–63.7 kg. Result is within the middle of the healthy range.

Imperial — 185 lbs, 5 ft 10 in (70 inches)

BMI = 703 × 185 ÷ (70)² = 130,055 ÷ 4,900 = 26.5. Category: Overweight. To return to the healthy range (BMI < 25), target weight would be approximately 174 lbs or below.

Frequently Asked Questions

~7 min read

What is a healthy BMI range?▾

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a healthy BMI as 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.

Is BMI accurate for athletes and muscular individuals?▾

BMI is a poor indicator for athletes and highly muscular people. Muscle is denser than fat, so a muscular person may have a high BMI while having very low body fat percentage. For athletes, body fat percentage measurement (e.g. DEXA scan or skinfold caliper) is more informative.

Does BMI apply equally to all ethnicities?▾

No. Research shows that people of Asian descent face higher cardiovascular risks at lower BMI thresholds. The WHO recommends lower BMI cutoffs for Asian populations (overweight: BMI ≥ 23; obese: BMI ≥ 27.5). Consult your doctor about ethnic-specific thresholds.

How is BMI calculated in imperial units?▾

Using pounds and inches: BMI = 703 × weight (lbs) ÷ height (inches)². The factor 703 converts the result to the standard kg/m² scale.

What BMI is considered morbidly obese?▾

A BMI of 40 or above is classified as Obese Class III (also called morbid or severe obesity) by the WHO. This level is associated with significantly elevated health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

Can children use this BMI calculator?▾

This calculator uses adult WHO thresholds (18.5–24.9) and is not suitable for children or adolescents. Children's BMI is assessed using age- and sex-specific percentile charts (CDC growth charts for ages 2–19).

What is the difference between BMI and body fat percentage?▾

BMI is a ratio of weight to height squared — it does not directly measure fat. Body fat percentage measures the actual proportion of fat tissue in the body. Two people with identical BMIs can have very different body compositions. BMI is a screening tool; body fat percentage is a diagnostic measure.

How do I lose weight to reach a healthy BMI?▾

A sustained caloric deficit of 500–750 kcal/day typically produces 0.5–0.75 kg (1–1.5 lbs) of fat loss per week, per NHS and WHO guidance. Combining reduced caloric intake with increased physical activity is more effective than diet alone. Always consult a healthcare provider before making significant dietary or exercise changes.

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