BMI Calculator

Calculate Body Mass Index from height and weight, with both WHO global and Asia-Pacific categories.

Inputs

This calculator gives a general estimate and isn't medical advice. It doesn't account for your individual health history — talk to a doctor before making decisions based on it.

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Formula

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)²

Weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in metres.

Worked example

A 170cm, 65kg adult has a BMI of about 22.5 — 'normal weight' under both the WHO global scale and the stricter Asia-Pacific scale used across South Asia.

Where this can give the wrong answer

  • WHO's global cutoffs (overweight from 25) were derived mostly from European and North American data; the Asia-Pacific cutoffs (overweight from 23) exist because South and East Asian populations show cardiovascular risk at lower BMIs — this calculator reports both so an Indian user isn't misled by the global scale alone.
  • BMI doesn't separate muscle from fat, so a muscular, athletic person can show as 'overweight' despite low body fat.
  • It also doesn't account for age, sex, or where fat is distributed (visceral vs. subcutaneous), both of which matter more clinically than BMI alone.

FAQ

Most global calculators only show the WHO worldwide cutoffs. This one also shows the Asia-Pacific classification, which reclassifies a BMI of 23–24.9 as 'overweight' instead of 'normal' — a meaningful difference for readers in India.

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