Free BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) in metric or imperial units and see which World Health Organization weight category it falls into.
WHO range for “Normal”: 18.5 – 24.9. BMI is a general indicator, not a diagnosis.
Estimate only. This tool is for general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results are estimates based on the formula shown. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
Quick answer
BMI is your weight divided by the square of your height. In metric units, BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². In imperial units, BMI = 703 × weight (lb) ÷ height (in)². The WHO ranges are: under 18.5 underweight, 18.5–24.9 normal, 25–29.9 overweight, and 30 or more obese.
Formula & method
Metric
BMI = weight(kg) ÷ height(m)²
- weight — body weight in kilograms
- height — height in meters
Imperial
BMI = 703 × weight(lb) ÷ height(in)²
- 703 — unit conversion factor for pounds and inches
WHO categories: <18.5 underweight, 18.5–24.9 normal, 25–29.9 overweight, ≥30 obese.
Examples
- Input
- weight = 70 kg, height = 1.75 m
- Result
- BMI 22.9 — Normal
- Why
- 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.86.
- Input
- weight = 150 lb, height = 66 in
- Result
- BMI 24.2 — Normal
- Why
- 703 × 150 ÷ (66 × 66) = 105,450 ÷ 4,356 = 24.21.
- Input
- weight = 90 kg, height = 1.70 m
- Result
- BMI 31.1 — Obese
- Why
- 90 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 90 ÷ 2.89 = 31.14.
When to use this tool
- Getting a quick, general sense of where your weight sits relative to your height.
- Tracking a rough trend over time alongside other measures.
- As a starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional.
Common mistakes
- Entering height in centimeters where meters are expected. 175 cm is 1.75 m.
- Treating BMI as a body-fat measurement. It’s only a ratio of weight to height.
- Applying adult BMI ranges to children, who use age- and sex-specific percentiles instead.
Frequently asked questions
+ - What is BMI?
Body Mass Index is a simple ratio of weight to height (weight divided by height squared). It’s used as a rough screening indicator for weight categories across a population.
+ - What is a healthy BMI?
The World Health Organization considers 18.5 to 24.9 the normal range for most adults. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25–29.9 is overweight, and 30 or above is obese.
+ - Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. BMI doesn’t distinguish muscle from fat or account for body composition, so it can misclassify athletes, older adults, and others. It’s a general indicator, not a diagnosis.
+ - Does BMI work for children?
Not directly. Children and teens are assessed with age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than the fixed adult ranges.
+ - What’s the difference between the metric and imperial formulas?
They give the same result; the imperial version just includes the factor 703 to convert pounds and inches into the same scale as kilograms and meters.
+ - Is this medical advice?
No. This tool is for general information only and is not a diagnosis. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional about your health.
Disclaimer
This tool is for general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Results are estimates based on the formula shown. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your own situation.
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ No sign-up required
- ✓ Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
- ✓ Formula and method shown above
Provided “as is” for general information only — results may be inaccurate, so verify before you rely on them. No warranty; use at your own risk.
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