BMI calculator
Your body mass index and the healthy weight range for your height.
South Asians have more health risk at a lower BMI, so Indian guidelines use 23 and 25 instead of 25 and 30.
Your BMI
24.2
Overweight
- Your BMI
- 24.2
- Category
- Overweight
- Healthy BMI range
- 18.5 to 22.9
- Healthy weight for your height
- 53.5 kg to 66.5 kg
- To reach the healthy range, lose
- 3.5 kg
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². It’s a quick screening number for adults; it doesn’t tell muscle from fat and isn’t meant for children, pregnancy or athletes. Talk to a doctor about your health.
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How to calculate your BMI
- 1
Choose cm/kg or feet, inches and pounds.
- 2
Enter your height and weight.
- 3
Pick South Asian or international (WHO) cut-offs.
- 4
See your BMI, its category and the healthy weight range for your height.
What your BMI tells you
Body mass index compares your weight with your height. It’s the quickest screening check for whether your weight may be raising your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Enter your height and weight in centimetres and kilograms, or feet, inches and pounds, and the calculator shows your BMI, its category, and the healthy weight range for your height.
A body mass index calculator for adults, with BMI cut-offs for Asians and Indians as well as the WHO categories.
The formula
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²
For 70 kg and 175 cm: 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.9.
Two sets of cut-offs
| Category | WHO | South Asian (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.5 |
| Healthy | 18.5–24.9 | 18.5–22.9 |
| Overweight | 25–29.9 | 23–24.9 |
| Obese | 30 or more | 25 or more |
South Asians tend to carry more fat around the waist and develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than Europeans, so Indian guidelines use lower cut-offs. A BMI of 24 is healthy by WHO standards but overweight by Indian ones. English and Hindi pages start with the South Asian cut-offs; switch to WHO if you prefer.
Healthy weight for your height
The calculator turns the healthy BMI range back into kilograms. At 175 cm that’s about 56.7–76.6 kg on WHO cut-offs, or 56.7–70.4 kg on South Asian ones. If you’re outside the range, it shows how much to gain or lose to reach it.
Limits of BMI
BMI can’t tell muscle from fat, so athletes may score high, and older people with little muscle may score healthy while carrying too much fat. It isn’t used for children, teenagers or pregnancy. Measuring your waist adds a useful check: for South Asian adults, above 90 cm for men or 80 cm for women suggests extra risk.
To act on your result, see your daily needs with the calorie calculator, and keep track of the basics with the water intake and sleep calculators. This page gives general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How is BMI calculated?
BMI = weight in kg ÷ (height in metres)². For 70 kg and 175 cm: 70 ÷ 1.75² = 22.9.
Why are the Indian BMI cut-offs lower?
South Asians tend to carry more body fat and develop diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI. Indian guidelines therefore call 23–24.9 overweight and 25 or more obese, instead of the WHO’s 25 and 30.
What is a healthy BMI?
18.5 to 24.9 by WHO cut-offs, or 18.5 to 22.9 by South Asian cut-offs. For a height of 175 cm, that’s about 56.7–76.6 kg (WHO) or 56.7–70.4 kg (South Asian).
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. It doesn’t separate muscle from fat, so muscular people can show a high BMI, and it isn’t used for children or during pregnancy. Waist size is a useful second check: for South Asians, above 90 cm for men or 80 cm for women adds risk.