Use our free BMI calculator to check your Body Mass Index and understand what it means for your health.
Advertisement
Select Unit System
Advertisement
What is BMI?
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a widely used method to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by the square of their height.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is calculated using either metric or imperial units. In the metric system, the formula is: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m²). In the imperial system, it’s: BMI = (weight (lbs) × 703) / height (in²).
Why does BMI matter?
BMI is a simple screening tool used to classify individuals into categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. These classifications help assess the risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
Limitations of BMI
While BMI is useful for general population trends, it doesn’t account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution. Athletes or very muscular individuals may have a high BMI without excess fat. For a more complete health assessment, it should be used alongside other indicators like body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio.
Advertisement