An Interactive Tool To Tell You Your BMI - Body Weight Relative To Height
Health professionals use a measurement called body mass index (BMI) to classify an adult's weight as healthy, overweight, or obese. BMI describes body weight relative to height, and is correlated with total body fat content in most adults -- both men and women.
Start here!
To get your approximate BMI, enter your weight and height using American measures (feet, inches, pounds). After you press the "Calculate" button, your BMI will appear in the box below.
- Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
- Next, divide the result by your height in inches.
- Then, divide that result by your height in inches a second time.
BMI categories
"Overweight" refers to an excess of body weight, but not necessarily body fat. "Obesity," on the other hand, means an excessively high proportion of body fat.
Here are the general BMI scores:
- Underweight: < 18.5 percent
- Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9 percent
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9 percent
- Obese: BMI of 30 percent or greater
Limitations of the BMI
BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the many health risks. The score you receive is valid for both women and men -- but it does have some limits. For example:
- It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
- It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.
A BMI from 18.5 up to 25 is considered in the healthy range, from 25 up to 30 is overweight, and 30 or higher is obese. Generally, the higher a person's BMI, the greater the risk for health problems, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). However, there are some exceptions. For example, very muscular people (such as body builders) may have a BMI greater than 25 or even 30, but this reflects increased muscle rather than fat.
