BMI Calculator
Enter your height and weight to get your body mass index (BMI), its WHO category, and the healthy weight range for your height.
How the math works
BMI is a screening number, not a diagnosis. It compares your weight to your height so that the same scale works for everyone: the World Health Organization considers 18.5–24.9 the healthy band, 25–29.9 overweight and 30+ obesity. The calculator also shows the weight range that would put you at a BMI of 18.5–24.9 for your height — useful as a rough target, with the caveats below.
What BMI misses
BMI can't tell muscle from fat, so muscular athletes frequently land in the "overweight" band despite low body fat. It also says nothing about where fat is stored (visceral fat around the organs matters most), runs differently across ethnic groups, and isn't valid during pregnancy or for children, who need age-and-sex percentile charts. Treat it as one data point alongside waist measurement and how you actually feel.
FAQ
- Is BMI different for men and women?
- The formula and categories are the same for adult men and women; interpretation is best done with a professional who knows your history.
- What BMI should I aim for?
- For most adults, anywhere inside 18.5–24.9 is associated with the lowest health risk — the low end of the band isn't "better" than the high end.
- Where can I read more?
- The CDC and WHO both publish detailed BMI references for adults and separate charts for children and teens.
This tool provides general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional about your health.