BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), view official WHO weight classifications, and find your healthy target weight range.

Height & Weight Measurements
Feet
Inches
Pounds (lbs)
Your BMI Score
24.4

kg / m²

WHO Classification
Normal Weight (Healthy)

World Health Organization category

Healthy Weight Target
125 lbs – 169 lbs

For a normal 18.5 – 24.9 BMI

BMI Category Scale
24.4
Underweight
(< 18.5)
Normal
(18.5 – 24.9)
Overweight
(25 – 29.9)
Obese
(≥ 30.0)

How Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Calculated

Originally developed in the 19th century by Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet, the Quetelet Index (now Body Mass Index) remains the global standard epidemiological screening tool used by healthcare organizations worldwide.

BMI Mathematical Formulas

Metric Formula: BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]2
Imperial Formula: BMI = 703 × Weight (lbs) / [Height (inches)]2

Clinical & Personal Uses

  • General Health & Wellness Screening

    Check whether your body weight falls within the epidemiologically normal risk category for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

  • Setting Realistic Weight Loss Goals

    Determine the upper threshold of your recommended healthy weight range to set actionable target weights.

  • Life Insurance & Medical Underwriting

    Anticipate health underwriting tier classifications used by term life and disability insurance providers.

  • Youth & Adult Fitness Benchmarking

    Track baseline physique changes during lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise interventions.

Why Use This BMI Calculator

Metric & Imperial Unit Switching

Seamlessly toggle between standard US units (feet, inches, pounds) and international metric units (centimeters, kilograms).

Official WHO Weight Categories

Classifies scores into Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5–24.9), Overweight (25–29.9), and Obese (30+).

Ideal Healthy Weight Range

Computes the exact minimum and maximum healthy weight targets tailored to your specific height.

Visual Color-Coded Gauge Bar

Interactive marker visually positions your score along the spectrum of adult BMI classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used screening metric that evaluates body weight in relation to height: BMI = weight (kg) / [height (m)]^2. It provides a simple, non-invasive benchmark to categorize whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

What are the official WHO BMI categories?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Underweight is a BMI below 18.5; Normal (Healthy) Weight is 18.5 to 24.9; Overweight is 25.0 to 29.9; and Obese is 30.0 or higher.

What are the limitations of BMI?

BMI does not directly measure body fat percentage or distinguish between fat and muscle mass. As a result, muscular athletes and bodybuilders may register as 'overweight' or 'obese' despite having low body fat, while older adults with sarcopenia may register as 'normal' despite high visceral fat.

What is a healthy BMI for men and women?

For both adult men and adult women, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered the healthy normal range associated with the lowest risk of chronic illness and all-cause mortality.

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