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BMI Calculator – With WHO and Asian Indian Cut-offs

Calculate your Body Mass Index in kg and cm or feet and pounds, and see where it falls on both the international WHO scale and the lower cut-offs used for Asian Indian adults.

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How to use the BMI calculator

  1. Choose your units: cm & kg or feet & pounds.
  2. Enter your height and weight.
  3. Read your BMI and the marker on the colour scale.
  4. Compare your category on the WHO scale and the Asian Indian scale, and see the healthy weight range for your height.

How BMI is calculated

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²

Example: a person who is 170 cm tall and weighs 65 kg:

  • Height in metres = 1.70, squared = 2.89
  • BMI = 65 ÷ 2.89 = 22.5

That is in the normal range on both scales. At 70 kg the same person’s BMI is 24.2 — still “normal” on the WHO scale, but “overweight” on the Asian Indian scale. At 75 kg it is 26.0, which is overweight on the WHO scale and obese on the Asian Indian scale.

BMI categories

BMIWHO (international)Asian Indian adults
Below 18UnderweightUnderweight
18 – 18.4UnderweightNormal
18.5 – 22.9NormalNormal
23 – 24.9NormalOverweight
25 – 29.9OverweightObese
30 and aboveObeseObese

The Asian Indian cut-offs come from Indian consensus guidelines (Misra and others, 2009), which built on a World Health Organization expert review of BMI in Asian populations. The WHO scale is the one used in most international studies.

What BMI can and can’t tell you

  • It is a screening tool. It helps spot possible weight-related risk, but it doesn’t measure body fat directly.
  • Waist size matters too. Fat around the waist is linked to higher health risk, even at a normal BMI. Doctors often check waist circumference along with BMI.
  • Not for everyone. Children and teenagers, pregnant women and very muscular people need different measures.
  • Small changes are normal. Your weight can vary by a kilo or two during the day.

This calculator is for general information and is not medical advice. For questions about your health, please speak to a doctor.

Who uses a BMI calculator

  • Adults keeping an eye on their health over time.
  • Students learning about BMI in biology or physical education.
  • Fitness beginners setting a starting point before a new routine.
  • People preparing for medical tests for jobs or insurance who want a quick estimate.

Need to convert between kilograms and pounds or feet and centimetres? Use the unit converter.

Frequently asked questions

How is BMI calculated?

BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres. For 65 kg and 170 cm: 65 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 22.5.

Why are the Indian BMI cut-offs lower?

Research shows that many Asian Indians have more body fat and a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than Europeans. Indian consensus guidelines therefore treat a BMI of 23 or more as overweight and 25 or more as obese for adults.

Is BMI accurate for everyone?

No. BMI does not tell muscle from fat, so very muscular people can show a high BMI. It is not meant for children and teenagers (who use BMI-for-age charts), pregnant women, or some older adults. It is a quick screening number, not a diagnosis.

What is a healthy BMI for Indians?

For Asian Indian adults, guidelines suggest a BMI between 18 and 22.9. The international WHO range is 18.5 to 24.9. The calculator shows the healthy weight range for your height on both scales.

Can I enter height in feet and inches?

Yes. Choose “feet & pounds”, then enter feet and inches for height and pounds for weight. The calculator converts them to metric for you.

What should I do if my BMI is outside the healthy range?

Treat it as a prompt to talk to a doctor, who can look at your waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar and overall health. This tool does not give medical or diet advice.

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