BMI Calculator

BMI calculator computes your body mass index from weight and height with WHO category interpretation for 2026. A 70 kg person at 170 cm has a BMI of 24.2, which falls in the normal weight range (18.5-24.9). Supports kg, lbs, stones, cm, and inches.

Enter Values

Result

Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result.

AI Assistant

Ask about this calculator

I can help you understand the bmi calculator formula, interpret your results, and answer follow-up questions.

Try asking

Formula

#
Core Formula
BMI=Weight (kg)Height (m)2\text{BMI} = \frac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{\text{Height (m)}^2}

How it works: Weight and height are converted to metric units and used to compute BMI.

Worked Example

A person weighing 70 kg and standing 170 cm tall:
1Step 1: Convert height to meters: 170 cm = 1.70 m
2Step 2: Square the height: 1.70 x 1.70 = 2.89 m2
3Step 3: BMI = 70 / 2.89 = 24.2
4Step 4: WHO category: 24.2 falls in Normal weight (18.5 to 24.9)
5Step 5: Healthy weight range for 170 cm: 53.5 kg (BMI 18.5) to 72.0 kg (BMI 24.9)
Result: This person is near the upper end of normal weight.

Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a simple screening tool that uses your weight and height to estimate whether you fall into an underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese category. It is widely used in clinical and public health settings.

  • BMI formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2)
  • WHO categories: underweight (below 18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25.0 to 29.9), obese (30.0 and above)
  • BMI does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat mass, so it can overestimate body fat in muscular individuals
  • For a more complete picture, combine BMI with body fat percentage, waist circumference, and other health markers

BMI is a useful starting point but not a diagnosis. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized health assessment.

You can also calculate changes using our Body Fat Calculator, BMI to Body Fat Calculator, Ideal Weight Calculator, Calorie Calculator or TDEE Calculator.

BMI Categories and Health Risk Classification

Body Mass Index categories defined by the World Health Organization. BMI is calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2).

BMI RangeCategoryHealth RiskRecommended Action
Below 16.0Severe underweightVery highUrgent medical evaluation
16.0-16.9Moderate underweightHighMedical evaluation recommended
17.0-18.4Mild underweightModerateNutritional assessment
18.5-24.9Normal weightLowMaintain current lifestyle
25.0-29.9OverweightIncreasedLifestyle modifications recommended
30.0-34.9Obese Class IHighWeight management program
35.0-39.9Obese Class IIVery highMedical intervention recommended
40.0 and aboveObese Class IIIExtremely highSpecialist referral, consider bariatric evaluation

Note: BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat mass. Athletes and muscular individuals may have a high BMI without excess body fat. Waist circumference and body fat percentage provide additional context. BMI categories apply to adults 20 years and older. Children and adolescents use age-specific and sex-specific BMI percentiles. For educational reference only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy BMI range for adults?

The WHO defines normal weight as BMI 18.5 to 24.9. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25.0-29.9 is overweight, and 30.0 or above is obese. For most adults, maintaining a BMI within 18.5 to 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of weight-related health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

What is the healthy weight range for someone 5 foot 10?

At 5'10" (178 cm), a healthy BMI (18.5-24.9) corresponds to a weight of 132 to 174 lbs (60 to 79 kg). The midpoint is about 153 lbs (69.5 kg) at a BMI of 22. Your ideal weight within this range depends on muscle mass, body frame, and overall health markers.

Is BMI accurate for athletes and muscular people?

BMI can overestimate body fat in muscular individuals because it cannot distinguish muscle from fat. A 6-foot male weighing 210 lbs with 12% body fat has a BMI of 28.5 ("overweight"), despite being lean. For athletes, body fat percentage is a better health indicator than BMI.

Does BMI apply to children?

Children and teens (ages 2-19) use age and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than fixed adult categories. A child in the 85th-94th percentile is considered overweight, and the 95th percentile or above is obese. Use a pediatric BMI calculator for accurate child assessment.

Are BMI categories different for Asian populations?

Yes. Research shows that Asian populations may experience higher health risks at lower BMI values. The WHO Western Pacific Region suggests overweight begins at BMI 23 (not 25) and obesity at BMI 25 (not 30) for Asian adults. Discuss appropriate cutoffs with your healthcare provider.

Can I use this BMI Calculator on my own web page?

You can. Look for the "Embed" button near the top of this calculator. It lets you pick a size, border style, and color palette, then gives you an iframe tag to paste into any webpage. The widget is responsive, loads fast, and costs nothing. More details at calculory.com/services/embed-calculators.

Secure and Private

All calculations run locally. Your data never leaves your browser.

Verified Precision

Fun and Lifestyle Tools Powered by Calculory AI