Calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and check weight category
| Category | Weight at 170 cm | BMI |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 52.0 kg | Below 18.0 |
| Normal weight | 52.0–66.2 kg | 18.0–22.9 |
| Overweight (you) | 66.5–72.0 kg | 23.0–24.9 |
| Obese | 72.3 kg and above | 25.0 and above |
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For general information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or a qualified professional about your health. Terms of use
How to Use
- Enter your weight in kilograms.
- Choose whether to enter height in centimetres or in feet and inches, then enter it.
- Pick the categories to use: the Asian Indian cut-offs (the default) or the WHO standard used worldwide.
- Your BMI, its category, the health risk, the healthy weight range for your height and how far you are from it update as you type. The table below shows every band in kilograms for your height.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a single number worked out from your height and weight that gives a rough idea of body fat. Doctors, insurers and governments use it as a quick first check for weight-related health risks. This BMI calculator gives your category on the Asian Indian cut-offs that Indian doctors use, and you can switch to the WHO scale used worldwide.
For example, if you weigh 70 kg and you're 1.70 m tall, your BMI is 70 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 24.2.
BMI categories for Indians and the WHO scale
Asians, Indians included, face higher risk of diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than Europeans. That's why India's 2009 consensus guidelines for Asian Indians use lower cut-offs than the WHO scale. The calculator uses the Indian cut-offs by default and tells you which scale it used.
| Category | Asian Indian cut-offs (2009) | WHO standard |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.0 | Below 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.0–22.9 | 18.5–24.9 |
| Overweight | 23.0–24.9 | 25.0–29.9 |
| Obese | 25.0 and above | 30.0 and above (Class I 30–34.9, Class II 35–39.9, Class III 40+) |
So the same 70 kg person at 1.70 m (BMI 24.2) is "Normal weight" on the WHO scale but "Overweight" on the Indian cut-offs. At that height the Indian healthy range is about 52.0 to 66.2 kg, so they'd need to lose about 3.8 kg to get into it. If you want to compare with a report that uses the WHO numbers, switch the categories to WHO standard.
Limitations of BMI
- BMI can't tell muscle from fat, so a fit athlete can come out as "overweight".
- It ignores where the fat sits. Belly fat is more harmful than fat on the hips.
- For a fuller picture, look at your waist size and body fat % alongside BMI.