BMI Calculator

Body Mass Index Calculator

Calculate your body mass index (BMI) using metric (kg, cm) or imperial (lb, ft/in) measurements. Your result appears instantly alongside the WHO reference category. Free, no login.

How to use this calculator

Select your preferred unit system — metric or imperial — using the toggle at the top of the calculator. Enter your height and weight. BMI updates immediately as you type.

The result includes your numeric BMI and the corresponding WHO category (Underweight, Normal weight, Overweight, or Obese). No data is stored or sent anywhere — the calculation happens entirely in your browser.

Worked examples

Metric example

Weight: 80 kg · Height: 180 cm (1.80 m)

BMI = 80 ÷ (1.80 × 1.80) = 80 ÷ 3.24

BMI = 24.7 — Normal weight

Imperial example

Weight: 176 lb · Height: 5 ft 11 in

Converted: 79.8 kg · 180.3 cm → BMI = 79.8 ÷ 3.25

BMI = 24.5 — Normal weight

WHO BMI categories (adults)

BMI rangeCategory
Below 18.5Underweight
18.5 – 24.9Normal weight
25.0 – 29.9Overweight
30.0 – 34.9Obese (Class I)
35.0 – 39.9Obese (Class II)
40.0 and aboveObese (Class III)

What BMI does and does not measure

BMI is a population-level screening tool. It is calculated from height and weight only, so it cannot distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass. A person with significant muscle (such as someone doing resistance training or on TRT) may have a BMI in the "overweight" range while carrying very little excess body fat.

BMI also does not account for fat distribution. Two people with the same BMI can have very different risk profiles depending on where their body fat is stored. Use BMI as a rough indicator, not a complete picture of body composition or health.

Frequently asked questions

What is the BMI formula?
BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in metres)². In imperial: BMI = (weight in pounds × 703) ÷ (height in inches)². Both produce the same result when units are consistent.
Is BMI accurate for muscular people?
No — BMI does not account for the difference between fat and muscle. A muscular person may score in the overweight range despite having low body fat. For people doing resistance training or on TRT, BMI is a less reliable indicator than body fat percentage or waist circumference.
Does BMI apply the same way for everyone?
The standard WHO thresholds were established using primarily Western European population data. Some health authorities recommend lower cutoffs for East Asian populations, where metabolic risk occurs at lower BMI values. Discuss with your doctor what the right reference range is for you.

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