Want to know what the Body Mass Index (BMI) means and how to calculate yours?

We asked the National Institutes of Health for answers to basic questions.


We know: 1-Minute Lesson on Body Mass Index (BMI)

What is the Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women.

What do I need to know to calculate my BMI?

You need only your height in inches and your weight in pounds. You can use the chart below to calculate your BMI.

What does my BMI number tell me?

Your BMI number can be used to tell you how your weight compares to the norm. Here are the common weight categories, and the BMI numbers that fit in each category:

You are:

  • Underweight if your BMI is less than 18.5
  • Normal weight if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9
  • Overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9
  • Obese if your BMI is 30 or greater

Note: BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits. The limits are:

  1. It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
  2. It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

What does the BMI table look like and how do I use it?

To use the table, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column labeled Height. Move across to a given weight (in pounds). The BOLD FACED NUMBER AT THE TOP OF THE COLUMN is the BMI at that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off.


BMI1920212223242526272829303132333435
Height
(inches)
Body Weight (pounds)
589196100105110115119124129134138143148153158162167
599499104109114119124128133138143148153158163168173
6097102107112118123128133138143148153158163168174179
61100106111116122127132137143148153158164169174180185
62104109115120126131136142147153158164169175180186191
63107113118124130135141146152158163169175180186191197
64110116122128134140145151157163169174180186192197204
65114120126132138144150156162168174180186192198204210
66118124130136142148155161167173179186192198204210216
67121127134140146153159166172178185191198204211217223
68125131138144151158164171177184190197203210216223230
69128135142149155162169176182189196203209216223230236
70132139146153160167174181188195202209216222229236243
71136143150157165172179186193200208215222229236243250
72140147154162169177184191199206213221228235242250258
73144151159166174182189197204212219227235242250257265
74148155163171179186194202210218225233241249256264272
75152160168176184192200208216224232240248256264272279
76156164172180189197205213221230238246254263271279287



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