BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index and healthy weight range.
What BMI tells you
Body Mass Index = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². It's a quick screening number that maps to WHO categories: under 18.5 is underweight, 18.5–24.9 is the healthy range, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30+ is obese. This calculator also shows the actual weight range that would put your height in the healthy band — usually more useful than the index itself.
What BMI does NOT tell you
BMI can't distinguish muscle from fat. Athletes and gym-goers often show "overweight" BMIs at low body-fat levels, while a sedentary person can have a "healthy" BMI with high visceral fat. It also doesn't account for age, sex or bone structure. Treat it as a starting signal, not a diagnosis.
Better companions to BMI
Waist circumference (risk rises above ~90 cm for men, ~80 cm for women in South Asian guidelines), waist-to-height ratio (keep waist under half your height), and how your energy, sleep and fitness actually feel. A trend matters more than a single reading — recheck monthly under the same conditions.
Note for South Asian users
Several Indian health bodies use tighter cutoffs (overweight from BMI 23, obese from 25) because cardiovascular risk appears at lower BMIs in South Asian populations. If your BMI is 23–25, it's worth discussing with a doctor even though WHO calls it "normal".
This tool is informational, not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personal guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Is BMI accurate for muscular people?
Not really — muscle is denser than fat, so muscular people often get "overweight" readings despite being lean. Body-fat percentage or waist measurements are better for athletes.
What is a healthy BMI for Indian adults?
Indian guidelines often use 18.5–22.9 as normal, with overweight starting at 23 — stricter than the WHO's 25 — because health risks appear at lower BMIs in South Asian populations.
Should I use morning or evening weight?
Morning, after using the bathroom and before eating, gives the most consistent readings. Consistency matters more than the time itself when tracking changes.
Does BMI apply to children?
Not with adult cutoffs. Children's BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentile charts — ask a pediatrician rather than using adult categories.