BMI Calculator
Are you at a healthy weight for your height?
About BMI Calculator
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening measure that estimates whether a person has a healthy body weight relative to their height. The formula was standardised by WHO in 1997 and remains the international benchmark for population-level weight assessment. It is a screening tool — not a diagnostic one — and should always be considered alongside other clinical measures.
Metric: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m) Imperial: BMI = [weight (lbs) ÷ height² (in)] × 703
Source: WHO Global Classification (1997) · WHO Obesity Fact Sheet (2022) · WHO Expert Consultation on BMI for Asian Populations, The Lancet (2004) · NHLBI Clinical Guidelines
Why Your BMI Result Matters
Awareness is the first step toward better health. Research from WHO and NHLBI consistently links sustained overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) to a higher likelihood of the following conditions. Recognising these connections early gives you the opportunity to take informed, preventive action.
Cardiovascular Disease
Obesity is a leading driver of heart disease worldwide. Reaching a healthy BMI reduces arterial inflammation, improves cholesterol levels, and significantly lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes
Excess visceral fat is the primary modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Studies show that losing just 5–10% of body weight can delay or prevent onset in at-risk individuals.
Hypertension
Higher body mass directly increases the workload on the heart. Even modest, sustained weight loss produces clinically meaningful reductions in blood pressure.
How to Use BMI Most Effectively
BMI is a powerful starting point — not the complete picture. WHO and CDC both classify it as a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. Understanding where it works best helps you get the most value from your result:
Combine with waist circumference
BMI does not show where fat is stored. Waist circumference (>102 cm in men, >88 cm in women) identifies visceral fat risk that BMI misses. Using both together gives a significantly stronger health signal than either measure alone.
Athletes and muscular individuals: add a body fat reading
Muscle is denser than fat. If you train regularly, your BMI may read 'overweight' while your body fat is low. Pair your result with a body fat percentage measurement for an accurate picture of your composition.
BMI is a screening start, not a medical verdict
A BMI result alone cannot diagnose any condition. For a complete picture, your doctor will assess waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid panel, and lifestyle together with your BMI.