BMI Calculator: Check Your Body Mass Index
Calculate your BMI in seconds, see your category and the healthy weight range for your height, with optional Asian cut-off points.
What is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) compares your weight with your height to give a single number. Doctors and health agencies use it as a quick screen for whether someone’s weight might raise their risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It is simple and free, which is why it is everywhere. But it is only a starting point: it can’t tell muscle from fat or show where fat is stored.
BMI formula
Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m → 70 ÷ 3.06 = 22.9
BMI chart for adults
Underweight
May signal too little energy or nutrients. Worth discussing with a doctor.
Healthy
The range linked with the lowest health risk for most adults.
Overweight
Risk starts to rise, especially with a large waist.
Obesity
Higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.
Healthy weight by height
| Height | Healthy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) | 95–128 lb (43–58 kg) |
| 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | 104–141 lb (47–64 kg) |
| 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | 115–154 lb (52–70 kg) |
| 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | 125–169 lb (57–76 kg) |
| 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | 136–184 lb (62–83 kg) |
| 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | 148–199 lb (67–91 kg) |
When BMI can be misleading
Athletes and lifters often score “overweight” despite low body fat.
Muscle loss with age can hide extra fat behind a normal BMI.
BMI ignores where fat sits. Fat around the waist carries more risk.
Many Asian populations face higher risk at lower BMIs, hence the Asian cut-offs.
Under 20s need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles instead.
BMI doesn’t apply during pregnancy; use pre-pregnancy BMI for guidance.
BMI cut-offs for Asian populations
Research shows that people of Asian descent tend to develop weight-related conditions at lower BMIs. Many health bodies use lower thresholds for action.
| Category | Standard (WHO) | Asian populations |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.5 |
| Healthy | 18.5–24.9 | 18.5–22.9 |
| Overweight / increased risk | 25–29.9 | 23–27.4 |
| Obesity / high risk | 30 and above | 27.5 and above |
What to do with your BMI result
Healthy range
Maintain it by eating around your TDEE. Find that number with our TDEE calculator.
Above the range
A loss of just 5–10% of body weight improves many health markers. Plan it with our calorie deficit calculator.
Below the range
Speak to a doctor, then build up slowly with a small surplus and strength training.
Looking for a single target weight? Our ideal weight calculator compares four classic formulas.
BMI calculator FAQs
What is a healthy BMI?
For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. For people of Asian descent, 18.5 to 22.9 is often used.
Is BMI accurate?
BMI is a useful population-level screen but can be misleading for individuals, especially muscular people and older adults. Combine it with waist size or body fat percentage.
Is BMI different for men and women?
The adult BMI formula and categories are the same for men and women, although women naturally carry more body fat at the same BMI.
What BMI is considered obese?
A BMI of 30 or above is classed as obesity under WHO standards, or 27.5 and above using Asian cut-offs.
Can I use this BMI calculator for children?
No. Children and teens need BMI-for-age percentile charts, which account for growth. Ask a doctor or use a paediatric BMI tool.