How to Calculate & Formula Details
BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²). In imperial: BMI = 703 * weight (lbs) / height² (inches²).A Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator estimates a person's body fat based on their height and weight. While it does not measure body fat directly, it is a simple and widely accepted screening tool used by healthcare providers to classify body weight categories.
Standard BMI Categories for Adults
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
- Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
- Overweight: BMI between 25.0 and 29.9
- Obese: BMI of 30.0 or higher
Limitations of BMI
BMI is a general estimate and does not take muscle mass, bone density, or body composition into account. For instance, athletes and bodybuilders with high muscle mass may have a high BMI that classifies them as "overweight" or "obese" despite having very low body fat.