BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to find out if you're in a healthy weight range. Supports both imperial and metric units.
How Is This Calculated?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated using your weight and height: Imperial: BMI = (Weight in pounds / Height in inches²) × 703 Metric: BMI = Weight in kilograms / (Height in meters)² BMI Categories: • Underweight: BMI < 18.5 • Normal weight: 18.5 – 24.9 • Overweight: 25 – 29.9 • Obese: BMI ≥ 30 Note: BMI is a screening tool and doesn't directly measure body fat. It doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, age, sex, or ethnicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BMI accurate?
BMI is a useful screening tool for population-level health assessment, but it has limitations for individuals. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so very muscular people may have a high BMI despite being healthy. Waist circumference and body composition tests provide additional insights.
What is a healthy BMI?
A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered healthy. However, optimal health depends on many factors beyond BMI, including fitness level, diet, genetics, and overall health markers.
Is BMI different for children?
Yes. For children and teens (ages 2-20), BMI is interpreted differently using age- and sex-specific percentiles. This calculator is designed for adults (20+).