Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most widely used screening tools for assessing whether a person has a healthy body weight relative to their height. While it has limitations, BMI remains a useful starting point for health awareness.
How BMI Is Calculated
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². For imperial units: BMI = (weight in pounds × 703) / (height in inches)².
BMI Categories
| BMI Range | Category |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal weight |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and above | Obese |
What Your BMI Means
A BMI in the "normal" range suggests a lower risk of weight-related health issues. However, BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so athletes may have a high BMI despite being healthy.
Limitations of BMI
BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, age, sex, or fat distribution. A bodybuilder and an obese person could have the same BMI. Always consult a healthcare professional for a complete health assessment.
Use Our Free BMI Calculator
Our BMI Calculator instantly computes your BMI from your height and weight, shows your category with a visual indicator, and provides health recommendations. It supports both metric and imperial units and works in 30 languages.