BMI Calculator

Calculate your body mass index in metric or imperial units and see your WHO weight category, the healthy weight range for your height and a visual scale.

Body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to check whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height. Enter your height and weight in centimetres and kilograms, or feet, inches and pounds (or stone), and the calculator shows your BMI, the World Health Organization category for adults, and the weight range that would be healthy for your height.

BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis — read the limits below. Your numbers stay on your device.

How to use BMI Calculator

  1. Choose Metric (cm, kg) or Imperial (ft, in, lb — or stone and pounds).
  2. Enter your height and weight. Adding your age is optional.
  3. Read your BMI, its category and where it falls on the scale.
  4. See the healthy weight range for your height and how far you are from it.

Features

  • BMI in metric or imperial units, including stone and pounds.
  • WHO adult categories, from underweight to obesity class III.
  • Healthy weight range for your height (BMI 18.5–24.9).
  • Visual scale with clearly labelled categories.
  • BMI Prime (your BMI as a share of the upper healthy limit).
  • Note for children and teens, who need BMI-for-age percentiles.
  • Private: nothing is sent or stored.

How BMI is calculated

BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in metres)². In imperial units, BMI = 703 × weight in pounds ÷ (height in inches)². For example, someone 1.75 m tall weighing 70 kg has a BMI of 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.9, which is in the healthy range. Someone 5 ft 9 in (69 in) weighing 154 lb has a BMI of 703 × 154 ÷ 69² = 22.7.

BMI categories for adults (WHO)

These categories apply to adults aged 18 and over, regardless of sex.

BMICategory
below 18.5Underweight
18.5 – 24.9Healthy (normal) weight
25.0 – 29.9Overweight
30.0 – 34.9Obesity class I
35.0 – 39.9Obesity class II
40.0 and aboveObesity class III

Healthy weight by height

The healthy BMI range of 18.5–24.9 corresponds to these weights.

HeightHealthy weight (kg)Healthy weight (lb)
1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)44 – 6098 – 132
1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)47 – 64104 – 141
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)50 – 68111 – 149
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)53 – 72118 – 159
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)57 – 76125 – 168
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)60 – 81132 – 178
1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)63 – 85140 – 188
1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)67 – 90147 – 198

Limits of BMI

BMI uses only height and weight. It can't tell muscle from fat, so very muscular people may be classed as overweight, and it says nothing about where fat is stored — waist size is a useful extra check. Some health organisations recommend lower cut-off points for people of Asian descent, whose health risks rise at lower BMI values. During pregnancy BMI doesn't apply. Use your result as a starting point for a conversation with a doctor, not as a diagnosis.

BMI for children and teens

For people aged 2 to 17, BMI is compared with children of the same age and sex using growth charts, and the result is a percentile — for example, a BMI at the 85th percentile or above is considered overweight. The adult categories don't apply. Enter an age under 18 and the calculator reminds you of this.

Frequently asked questions

Is this BMI calculator private?

Yes. Your height and weight are calculated in your browser and are only kept in the page address so you can share the result. Nothing is sent to us.

What is a healthy BMI?

For adults, the World Health Organization defines 18.5 to 24.9 as a healthy (normal) weight.

Is BMI different for men and women?

The formula and the adult categories are the same for men and women. Women naturally tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI.

Why might my BMI be misleading?

BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat or account for body shape, age or ethnicity. Athletes can have a high BMI and little fat; older adults can have a normal BMI and low muscle mass.

Can I use stone and pounds?

Yes. Choose Imperial, then “Stone + pounds” for the weight.

What is BMI Prime?

Your BMI divided by 25, the upper limit of the healthy range. A BMI Prime of 1.0 is the top of the healthy range; 1.2 means 20% above it.

Is this medical advice?

No. BMI is a screening measure only. Speak to a doctor or health professional about your weight and health.

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