BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index and get personalized health insights, ideal weight range, and recommendations.
Enter Your Details
Your Results
Health Recommendations
Your BMI History
Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used screening tool that estimates body fat based on height and weight measurements. While it doesn't directly measure body fat, it correlates with more direct measures of body fat and provides a reliable indicator for most people.
BMI Categories and Health Risks
| BMI | Weight Status | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Malnutrition risk, osteoporosis |
| 18.5 - 24.9 | Normal weight | Lowest risk of health problems |
| 25 - 29.9 | Overweight | Enhanced risk of developing health issues |
| 30 - 34.9 | Obesity Class I | Medium risk of health complications |
| 35 - 39.9 | Obesity Class II | High risk of serious health conditions |
| 40 and above | Obesity Class III | Very high risk of severe health problems |
Limitations of BMI
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has limitations:
- It may overestimate body fat in athletes and those with muscular builds
- It may underestimate body fat in older persons and those who have lost muscle mass
- It doesn't account for distribution of body fat (waist circumference provides additional information)
- It may not be equally applicable across different ethnic groups
Beyond BMI: Other Health Indicators
For a more complete picture of your health, consider these additional measurements:
Waist Circumference
Excess abdominal fat is an independent predictor of health risk. For most adults, a waist circumference of>40 inches (102 cm) for men or >35 inches (88 cm) for women indicates increased health risk.
Waist-to-Height Ratio
This ratio may be a better indicator of health risk than BMI alone. A ratio of 0.5 or lower is generally considered healthy, while a ratio above 0.5 indicates increased health risks.
Body Composition
Methods like skinfold measurements, bioelectrical impedance, or DEXA scans can provide more accurate measurements of body fat percentage than BMI alone.
Other Health Markers
Blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and physical fitness are all important indicators of health that should be considered alongside BMI.
Explore More Health Calculators
Discover other useful health calculators in our collection:
Calorie Calculator
Calculate your daily calorie needs
Body Fat Calculator
Estimate your body fat percentage
Water Intake Calculator
Calculate your daily water needs
Pregnancy Due Date
Calculate estimated due date
Compound Interest
Calculate investment growth
Games & Challenges
Fun ways to stay active and healthy