BMI Calculator
Body mass index and a healthy weight range
Input
Overweight from 23, obese from 25. Recommended for Asian populations.
Result
BMI
22.5
Normal
BMI cannot distinguish muscle from fat. Talk to a clinician about what it means for you.
BMI is weight divided by height squared — a crude population measure that has become a personal one. It is useful as a rough flag and misleading for anyone muscular, elderly, pregnant or very short.
How to use
- 1 Enter your height in centimetres and weight in kilograms.
- 2 Choose which threshold set to apply.
- 3 Read your BMI and category.
- 4 Compare against the healthy weight range for your height.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there two sets of thresholds?
Populations of Asian descent show higher rates of diabetes and heart disease at lower BMI values, so the WHO recommends lower cut-offs there — overweight from 23 rather than 25.
Is BMI reliable?
Only as a rough screen. It cannot distinguish muscle from fat, so athletes register as obese and someone with little muscle can sit in the normal range with a high body-fat percentage. Waist measurement is a better single indicator of health risk.
What should I do if my BMI is outside the normal range?
Treat it as a prompt to get a proper assessment rather than a diagnosis. A clinician will look at waist circumference, blood pressure, bloods and history — none of which BMI captures.