BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and get personalized health insights with our professional BMI calculator
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Enter your height and weight to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) and get personalized health insights.
About BMI and Health Assessment
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that uses height and weight to determine if weight is healthy. It's calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²).
WHO Standards
Our calculator follows World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and international standards for BMI classification and health risk assessment.
Health Implications
BMI categories help identify potential weight-related health risks. However, BMI doesn't measure body fat directly and should be considered alongside other health factors.
Personalized Insights
Get tailored recommendations based on your BMI category, including ideal weight ranges and health tips for maintaining optimal wellness.
Understanding BMI Limitations
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, and may not be accurate for athletes, elderly individuals, or certain ethnic groups. Always consult with healthcare professionals for comprehensive health assessment and personalized medical advice.
Related Health Calculators
Body Fat Calculator
Calculate your body fat percentage using the Navy method or BMI-based estimation
BMR/TDEE Calculator
Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) with activity-based calorie targets
Ideal Weight Calculator
Calculate your ideal body weight using Devine, Hamwi, Robinson, and Miller formulas with BMI-based range
Authoritative sources and references
The official standards, guidelines, and research behind this calculator's methodology.
WHO — Obesity and overweight
The World Health Organization fact sheet defining overweight and obesity by BMI, with global statistics.
WHO — Expert consultation on BMI in Asian populations (2004)
The 2004 WHO expert consultation on BMI cutoffs for Asian populations (public-health action points 23 and 27.5).
CDC — BMI Frequently Asked Questions
CDC answers on how adult BMI is calculated, interpreted, and used as a screening tool.
Wikipedia — Body mass index
BMI history, the Quetelet index origin, and documented limitations of the measure.
BMI Calculator FAQ
What BMI range is considered healthy?
For adults, the World Health Organization classifies 18.5 to 24.9 as the healthy range. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.
Is BMI accurate for athletes and muscular people?
Not fully. BMI only uses height and weight, so muscular people often register as overweight despite low body fat. For athletic builds, waist measurements or body fat percentage tools give a fairer picture.
Do children use the same BMI scale?
No. Children and teenagers are assessed with age and sex specific percentile charts rather than fixed adult thresholds, so a pediatric BMI result should be interpreted with growth charts.
How do I calculate BMI by hand?
In metric units, divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared: 70 kg ÷ (1.75 m)² = 22.9. In imperial units, multiply weight in pounds by 703 and divide by height in inches squared: 154 lb × 703 ÷ (69 in)² ≈ 22.8.
Do Asian populations use different BMI thresholds?
Yes. A 2004 WHO expert consultation noted that health risks appear at lower BMI values in many Asian populations, and several countries in the region use overweight from 23 and obesity from 27.5 as public-health action points. The standard WHO cutoffs (25 and 30) remain the international default this calculator shows.
Does BMI mean the same thing as I get older?
The formula is identical for all adults 20 and over, but interpretation shifts: adults tend to lose muscle and gain fat at a stable BMI with age, and some research supports a slightly higher healthy range (up to about 27) for people over 65. Children and teens are assessed with age- and sex-specific percentile charts instead of fixed cutoffs.