Body mass index (BMI) is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight. The formula for calculating BMI is given in Table 1 or you can use the body mass index calculator below.
Maintaining a healthy weight offers the following health benefits:
- Reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers
- Better sleep quality
- Fewer muscle and joint pains
- Reduced risk of high blood pressure and diabetes
- Better regulation of bodily fluids
- Reduced burden on the heart and circulatory system
- High energy and ability to complete the desired activities
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Reduced risk of gallbladder disease
| Measurement Units | Formula and Calculation |
|---|---|
| Kilograms and meters (or centimeters) |
Formula: weight (kg) / height (m)2 The formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. If height has been measured in centimeters, divide by 100 to convert this to meters. |
| Pounds and inches |
Formula: 703 x weight (lbs) / height (in)2 When using English measurements, pounds should be divided by inches squared. This should then be multiplied by 703 to convert from lbs/inches2 to kg/m2. |
Example: If a person weighs 65 kg and the person’s height is 165 cm (1.65 m), the BMI is calculated as 65 ÷ (1.65)2 = 23.87 kg/m2, which means that the person has a BMI of 23.87 kg/m2 and is considered to have a healthy weight.
When calculating in pounds and inches, if a person weighs 120 lbs and the person’s height is 5 feet 6 inches (66 inches), the BMI is calculated as 703 x 120/(66)2 = 19.3 kg/m2, which means that the person has a BMI of 19.3 kg/m2 and is considered to have a healthy weight.
BMI Calculator
To use this calculator:
- The default BMI of 16.6 shown on the tool is for a 5'5" person who weighs 100 lbs.
- Use the switch on top to pick either metric or imperial measurements.
- Set the height and weight dials to match your own height and weight.
- View your BMI number at the center of the tool and see where you fall on the obesity chart.
BMI values are based on clinical data about averages for these measurements across a wide swath of people.
The body mass index (BMI) is used to assess your weight relative to your height. This BMI calculator allows you to easily screen yourself for obesity or extra, unhealthy weight. If your results from the calculator aren't in the healthy range, don't worry too much. People with muscular builds may be classified as obese, even with a low body fat percentage and optimum health, simply because the BMI formula uses only two data points.
What is the body mass index (BMI)?
Body mass index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. It indicates the amount of body fat.
BMI is the most inexpensive screening tool to measure body fat. Although it does not directly measure body fat, it can be correlated with a more direct measure of body fat.
The various categories of BMI include
- BMI values less than 18.5 kg/m2 are considered underweight
- BMI values between 18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2 are healthy
- BMI values between 25 kg/m2 to 30 kg/m2 are overweight
- BMI values greater than 40 kg/m2 are considered obese
What is the ideal BMI?
The ideal weight has been mentioned in Table 2.
| Height | Minimal risk (BMI under 25 kg/m2) |
Moderate risk |
High risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10'' | 118 or less | 119–142 | 143 or more |
| 4'11'' | 123 or less | 124–147 | 148 or more |
| 5'0'' | 127 or less | 128–152 | 153 or more |
| 5'1'' | 131 or less | 132–157 | 158 or more |
| 5'2'' | 135 or less | 136–163 | 164 or more |
| 5'3'' | 140 or less | 141–168 | 169 or more |
| 5'4'' | 144 or less | 145–173 | 174 or more |
| 5'5'' | 149 or less | 150–179 | 180 or more |
| 5'6'' | 154 or less | 155–185 | 186 or more |
| 5'7'' | 158 or less | 159–190 | 191 or more |
| 5'8'' | 163 or less | 164–196 | 197 or more |
| 5'9'' | 168 or less | 169–202 | 203 or more |
| 5'10'' | 173 or less | 174–208 | 209 or more |
| 5'11'' | 178 or less | 179–214 | 215 or more |
| 6'0'' | 183 or less | 184–220 | 221 or more |
| 6'1'' | 188 or less | 189–226 | 227 or more |
| 6'2'' | 193 or less | 194–232 | 233 or more |
| 6'3'' | 199 or less | 200–239 | 240 or more |
| 6'4'' | 204 or less | 205–245 | 246 or more |
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What Is the Body Mass Index (BMI)?
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