Free BMI Calculator

Find Your Body Mass Index

Calculate your BMI and healthy weight range in seconds — just enter your height and weight, no sign-up required.

WHO Standard Formula
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BMI Calculator
Body Mass Index & Healthy Weight Range
BMI is a quick screening tool — it doesn't directly measure body fat or account for muscle mass.

Your Results

BMI
Category
Healthy Range
Fill in your height and weight, then press calculate.
Note: BMI is a general screening tool, not a diagnostic measurement. It does not directly assess body fat, muscle mass, or distribution of fat, and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
How It Works

Two Numbers, One Quick Screening Score

No special equipment needed — just your height and weight.

01

Choose Your Units

Pick US (feet/inches and pounds) or Metric (centimeters and kilograms), whichever is easiest for you.

02

Enter Height & Weight

Type in your current height and weight above — no other measurements are needed for a standard BMI.

03

Get Your Results

Instantly see your BMI value, which WHO category it falls into, and your healthy weight range for your height.

The Basics

What Is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple ratio of your weight to the square of your height. It was designed in the 19th century as a population-level screening tool, and today it's used by doctors, researchers, and public health bodies as a quick, free way to flag whether someone's weight may be putting their health at risk.

BMI's biggest limitation is that it can't tell the difference between muscle and fat. A muscular athlete and a sedentary person of the same height and weight will get the identical BMI score, even though their body composition — and health risk — can be very different. That's why BMI works best as a starting point, not a final verdict, and pairs well with a more detailed metric like body fat percentage.

Why It Matters

Why BMI Is Still Widely Used

1

It's Fast and Free

BMI only needs height and weight, so it can be calculated anywhere in seconds without special tools or training.

2

It Correlates with Health Risk

At a population level, higher BMI is statistically linked to higher rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.

3

It's a Useful Starting Point

BMI is a good first screen that tells you whether a closer look — like a body fat or metabolic age check — might be worthwhile.

The Formula

How BMI Is Calculated

The formula is the same worldwide — only the units of measurement change.

Metric

BMI (Metric)

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²

Uses kilograms & meters
Imperial

BMI (Imperial)

BMI = weight (lbs) × 703 ÷ height (in)²

Uses pounds & inches

WHO Adult BMI Categories

These standard ranges apply to most adults aged 20 and over.

Swipe to see all columns →

CategoryBMI RangeWhat It Means
UnderweightBelow 18.5May indicate insufficient nutrition or an underlying health issue
Normal weight18.5 – 24.9Associated with the lowest average health risk
Overweight25.0 – 29.9May carry a moderately increased health risk
Obese30.0 and aboveAssociated with a higher risk of weight-related conditions
Categories

What's a Healthy BMI?

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is classified as "normal weight" by the World Health Organization, but the full picture has more nuance.

CategoryBMI Range
Underweight< 18.5
Normal18.5 – 24.9
Overweight25.0 – 29.9
Obese I30.0 – 34.9
Obese II35.0 – 39.9
Obese III40.0+

What BMI Doesn't Account For

Muscle mass — athletes can score "overweight" despite low body fat
Bone density, which varies naturally between individuals
Age-related changes in muscle and fat composition
Differences in body composition across ethnic groups
Where fat is distributed (abdominal fat carries more risk)

When to Look Beyond BMI

You're very muscular or train with weights regularly
You're an older adult with reduced muscle mass
You want to track fat loss vs. muscle gain over time
Your BMI and how you look/feel don't seem to match
The Bigger Picture

BMI vs. Other Health Metrics

BMI is a starting point, not the full picture. These other metrics fill in gaps that height and weight alone can't capture.

Body Fat Percentage

Measures the actual proportion of fat vs. lean mass in your body
Distinguishes a muscular build from genuine excess fat
Better for tracking fitness progress than weight or BMI alone
Try our Body Fat Calculator for a more complete read on your composition

Metabolic Age

Compares your metabolic rate to the average for your chronological age
Reflects how diet, activity, and muscle mass affect your metabolism
Gives a forward-looking signal, not just a static snapshot
Head to our Metabolic Age Calculator to see where you stand
Taking Action

8 Ways to Reach a Healthy BMI

Sustainable change comes from a handful of consistent habits, not extreme short-term measures.

1

Run a Moderate Calorie Deficit

Aim for roughly 300–500 calories below maintenance — large enough to lose weight, small enough to preserve muscle.

2

Strength Train Regularly

Resistance training helps preserve and build muscle, which improves body composition even when the scale moves slowly.

3

Prioritize Protein

Adequate protein intake supports muscle retention and keeps you fuller for longer while managing your weight.

4

Sleep 7–9 Hours

Poor sleep raises hunger hormones and makes healthy weight management noticeably harder, even with a good diet.

5

Move More Throughout the Day

Walking and everyday activity (NEAT) burn meaningful calories without adding training fatigue.

6

Limit Added Sugar & Alcohol

Both are easy sources of excess calories that add up quickly without much satiety.

7

Track More Than the Scale

Pair BMI with body fat percentage or waist circumference for a fuller picture of your progress.

+

Be Patient and Consistent

Healthy weight change is typically 0.5–1% of bodyweight per week — small, steady changes that actually stick.

FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about understanding and using your BMI.

Not always. Because BMI can't distinguish muscle from fat, very muscular people often score in the "overweight" or "obese" range despite having low body fat. A body fat percentage measurement gives a more accurate picture in these cases.
For most adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is classified as "normal weight" by the World Health Organization. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.
The standard adult BMI formula and category cutoffs are the same for men and women aged 20 and over. Children and teens use separate, age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts instead.
Yes — BMI is widely used in clinical settings as a quick screening tool to flag potential weight-related health risks. Doctors typically combine it with other measurements and your overall health history rather than relying on it alone.
BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, age-related body changes, ethnic differences in body composition, or where fat is distributed on the body. Two people with the same BMI can have very different health profiles.
It's the range of body weights that would give you a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 at your specific height — calculated as 18.5 × height(m)² for the low end and 24.9 × height(m)² for the high end.
No — BMI is best used as a first screening step. For a fuller picture, pair it with a body fat percentage estimate and other lifestyle factors like activity level, diet quality, and sleep.