BMI is a useful general guideline, but may not be accurate for athletes, very muscular individuals, or older adults.

BMI Prime is your BMI divided by 25, the upper limit of the normal WHO range.

BMI Calculator - Health Management

Q: What is a healthy BMI?

Under WHO standards, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. Under Asian and Indian cutoffs, the healthy range is 18.5 to 22.9.

Q: Is BMI different for men and women?

The formula is the same for both, though body composition differences mean the same BMI can represent different body-fat levels.

Q: Why does this calculator offer an Asian cutoff option?

Research shows South Asian populations often face higher health risks at lower BMI values than the global WHO average.

Q: Is BMI suitable for children?

No, children and teenagers should be assessed using age- and gender-specific growth charts.

Q: How is weight to goal calculated?

It shows how much weight you would need to lose or gain to bring your BMI into the middle of the healthy range.

⚖️ Calculate Your BMI

Height (cm)

Weight (kg)

Age — optional

BMI Standard

What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple numerical value calculated from your height and weight. It's widely used by doctors and health organisations as a quick screening tool to classify body weight into categories — underweight, normal, overweight, or obese — and to flag potential health risk at a population level.

How This Calculator Works

Enter your height and weight (metric or imperial), and this calculator computes your BMI instantly. You can also choose between the standard WHO cutoffs used globally, or the Asian/Indian cutoffs — which are set lower, since research shows people of South Asian descent tend to face higher health risks at lower BMI values than the WHO global standard assumes.

The BMI Formula

Unit system	Formula
Metric	BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
Imperial	BMI = 703 × weight (lb) ÷ height (in)²

Example Calculation

For a weight of 70 kg and height of 1.75 m:

BMI = 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75)
BMI = 70 ÷ 3.0625
BMI ≈ 22.9 (Normal weight, under both WHO and Asian cutoffs)

BMI Chart: WHO vs Asian Cutoffs

Because South Asian populations often carry more visceral fat at lower BMI values, several health bodies recommend lower cutoffs for this region. This calculator lets you check your BMI against either standard.

Category	WHO Standard	Asian / Indian Cutoff
Underweight	Below 18.5	Below 18.5
Normal weight	18.5 – 24.9	18.5 – 22.9
Overweight	25.0 – 29.9	23.0 – 24.9
Obese	30.0 and above	25.0 and above

Why BMI Matters

Quick, free way to screen for potential weight-related health risk
Useful for tracking trends in your weight over time
Widely used starting point in medical and fitness assessments
Helps frame conversations with a doctor about healthy weight goals

💡 BMI Prime BMI Prime (your BMI ÷ 25) shows how close you are to the upper limit of the normal WHO range. A BMI Prime of 1.0 means you're exactly at that threshold — useful for tracking progress toward a goal.

Limitations of BMI

Does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass
Can misclassify muscular or athletic individuals as "overweight"
Doesn't account for fat distribution (e.g. visceral vs subcutaneous fat)
Less reliable for older adults, children, and pregnant women

For a more complete picture, pair your BMI result with a Body Fat Calculator or waist-to-height ratio.

⚠️ Not medical advice This calculator provides an educational estimate only. It does not replace a consultation with a doctor or dietitian.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy BMI?+

Under WHO standards, 18.5–24.9 is considered healthy. Under Asian/Indian cutoffs, the healthy range is slightly narrower, at 18.5–22.9.

Is BMI accurate?+

BMI is a useful general guideline, but it may not be accurate for athletes, very muscular individuals, or older adults with reduced muscle mass.

Can BMI predict health risks?+

Yes, at a population level, higher BMI is statistically linked to greater risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions — though individual risk varies.

How often should I check my BMI?+

Checking monthly, or whenever your weight changes meaningfully, is a reasonable way to track long-term trends without over-focusing on daily fluctuations.

Is BMI different for men and women?+

The formula itself is the same for both, though body composition differences mean the same BMI can represent different body-fat levels between men and women.

Why does this calculator offer an "Asian cutoff" option?+

Research shows people of South Asian descent often face higher metabolic health risks at lower BMI values than the global WHO average, so several health bodies recommend lower cutoffs for this population.

What is BMI Prime?+

BMI Prime is your BMI divided by the upper limit of the normal WHO range (25). A value of 1.0 means you sit exactly at that threshold.

Is BMI suitable for children?+

No — children and teenagers should be assessed using age- and gender-specific growth charts rather than adult BMI categories.

What should I do if my BMI is outside the healthy range?+

Use it as a starting point for a conversation with a doctor or dietitian rather than making major changes based on this number alone.

How is "weight to goal" calculated?+

It shows how much weight you'd need to lose or gain to bring your BMI into the middle of the healthy range for your selected standard.

What Is BMI?

How This Calculator Works

The BMI Formula

Example Calculation

BMI Chart: WHO vs Asian Cutoffs

Why BMI Matters

Limitations of BMI

Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

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