BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index instantly. Visual gauge, WHO categories, healthy weight range, BMI Prime, and weight scenarios. Separate child mode with CDC percentiles for ages 2–20.
Quick examples
| Category | BMI Range |
|---|---|
| Severe Thinness | 0 – 16 |
| Moderate Thinness | 16 – 17 |
| Mild Thinness | 17 – 18.5 |
| Normal Weight | 18.5 – 25 |
| Pre-Obese | 25 – 30 |
| Obese Class I | 30 – 35 |
| Obese Class II | 35 – 40 |
| Obese Class III | ≥ 40 |
Enter your height and weight to see your BMI result, gauge, and healthy weight range.
Support Our Free Tools
If you find this calculator helpful, please consider supporting our work. Your contribution helps us build and maintain these free tools for everyone.
Buy me a coffeeWhat Is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's height and weight. It is the most widely used screening tool for categorising weight status and identifying potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese.
# BMI Formula
Metric: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
Imperial: BMI = (weight (lbs) × 703) ÷ height (in)²
# Example: 70kg, 175cm
BMI = 70 ÷ (1.75)² = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.9
Visual Gauge
See exactly where your BMI sits on a colour-coded gauge from underweight (blue) to healthy (green) to obese (red).
Child Mode
For ages 2–20, BMI is interpreted using CDC percentile charts, not adult thresholds — this tool uses age and sex for an accurate child result.
Weight Scenarios
See how your BMI and category change at ±5 and ±10 kg — so you know exactly how much change is needed to reach a healthy range.
BMI Chart by Age — Adults
WHO thresholds apply to all adults (18+). Note: some health bodies recommend lower thresholds for Asian populations (23 = overweight).
| BMI Range | WHO Category | Health Risk | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 16 | Severe Thinness | Very high | Medical evaluation required |
| 16 – 17 | Moderate Thinness | High | Clinical assessment recommended |
| 17 – 18.5 | Mild Thinness | Moderate | Monitor and improve nutrition |
| 18.5 – 25 | Normal Weight | Low | Maintain healthy lifestyle |
| 25 – 30 | Pre-Obese | Increased | Improve diet and increase activity |
| 30 – 35 | Obese Class I | High | Weight management program |
| 35 – 40 | Obese Class II | Very high | Medical support recommended |
| ≥ 40 | Obese Class III | Extremely high | Specialist medical care |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is BMI?
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using height and weight: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². It was developed in the 1830s by Belgian statistician Adolphe Quetelet and is used worldwide as a quick screening tool for weight-related health risks.
- What is a healthy BMI?
- For adults, the WHO defines the healthy BMI range as 18.5–24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is pre-obese (commonly called overweight), 30–34.9 is Obese Class I, 35–39.9 is Obese Class II, and 40+ is Obese Class III.
- Is BMI an accurate measure of health?
- BMI is a useful population-level screening tool, but has well-known limitations. It does not distinguish between fat and muscle mass, so heavily muscled athletes may be classified as overweight. It also doesn't account for fat distribution, age, or ethnicity. It should be used alongside other measurements like waist circumference, body fat %, and clinical assessment.
- What is a healthy BMI for women?
- The standard healthy BMI range for adult women is 18.5–24.9, identical to men. However, women naturally carry more body fat than men at the same BMI. Some research suggests the optimal BMI range for health outcomes may be slightly lower (18.5–23) for women of Asian descent.
- What is a healthy BMI for men?
- For adult men, a healthy BMI is 18.5–24.9. Men typically carry less body fat at a given BMI than women, and muscle-heavy athletes may have a BMI in the overweight range (25–29.9) despite very low body fat. Context and body composition matter more than the number alone.
- How is BMI calculated?
- BMI = weight in kg ÷ (height in metres)². Example: A person weighing 70 kg at 1.75 m has BMI = 70 ÷ (1.75)² = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.9. In imperial: BMI = (weight in lbs × 703) ÷ (height in inches)².
- How is child and teen BMI different?
- For children ages 2–20, BMI is not interpreted using fixed adult thresholds. Instead, it is plotted against age- and sex-specific percentile charts (CDC growth charts). Underweight = below 5th percentile, Healthy = 5th–84th, Overweight = 85th–94th, Obese = 95th percentile or above. This is because healthy BMI changes significantly as children grow.
- Can I have a high BMI and still be healthy?
- Yes. Well-trained athletes and bodybuilders often have BMIs in the overweight range (25–30) due to high muscle mass, not excess fat. Conversely, someone with a "normal" BMI can still carry unhealthy levels of visceral fat. This is why BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Waist-to-height ratio and body fat percentage are more accurate complementary measurements.
- What is a BMI prime?
- BMI Prime is your BMI divided by 25 (the upper limit of the normal range). A BMI of 22 has a BMI Prime of 0.88. Values below 0.74 are underweight, 0.74–1.00 is normal, above 1.00 is overweight. It gives a quick sense of how far above or below the healthy upper limit you are.
- Does this calculator store my data?
- No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No personal health data is ever sent to or stored on any server.
Explore All Tools
82 free tools — no signup required
All 82 tools are free · No signup · No ads
