BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index in real-time using our free tool. Understand your weight category and get health insights instantly.

Calculate Your BMI

Your Results

23.5
Normal Weight
Your weight is within the healthy range
Underweight Normal Overweight Obese
<18.5 18.5-25 25-30 30+

Health Tips

  • • Maintain your current healthy habits
  • • Continue regular physical activity (150 mins/week)
  • • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • • Get regular health check-ups

Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared.

BMI is a screening tool that indicates whether a person is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese. However, it's important to note that BMI is not a direct measure of body fat and doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and sex differences.

Why BMI Matters

Maintaining a healthy BMI is important for your overall health. A BMI that is too high or too low can increase your risk of various health conditions:

High BMI Risks

  • • Heart disease and stroke
  • • Type 2 diabetes
  • • High blood pressure
  • • Certain types of cancer
  • • Sleep apnea

Low BMI Risks

  • • Malnutrition
  • • Anemia
  • • Osteoporosis
  • • Decreased immune function
  • • Fertility issues

Limitations of BMI

While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI but not have excess body fat. Similarly, older adults may have lower muscle mass and a normal BMI but higher body fat than recommended.

For a more comprehensive health assessment, consider additional measurements like waist circumference and body composition analysis. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized health advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It's important because it helps identify potential health risks associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese. Maintaining a healthy BMI reduces your risk of developing weight-related health problems.
BMI is a useful screening tool but has limitations. It doesn't directly measure body fat and may misclassify muscular individuals as overweight. For most people, it's a good indicator of healthy weight, but it should be used alongside other measurements like waist circumference for a more complete health assessment.
The standard BMI categories are:
  • • Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
  • • Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
  • • Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
  • • Obesity: BMI 30 or greater
These categories help identify potential health risks associated with different weight ranges.
Yes, BMI is interpreted differently for children and teens. BMI-for-age percentiles are used because their body composition varies as they age and differs between boys and girls. Healthcare providers use specific growth charts to determine if a child's BMI falls within a healthy range for their age and sex.