What is a healthy BMI range for adults?

For most adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy. BMI is a screening tool and should be used with other health markers.

Can BMI be inaccurate for athletes?

Yes. People with high muscle mass can have a higher BMI without excess body fat. Combine BMI with waist size and body fat measures for better context.

What should I do if my BMI is high?

Start with sustainable habits: balanced meals, consistent movement, sleep, and hydration. Track trends over time and discuss your plan with a healthcare professional.

Is BMI different for women and men?

The formula is the same for women and men, but body composition differs. Women often carry higher body fat at the same BMI.

BMI Calculator for Women & Men

Calculate your body mass index in seconds with metric or imperial units.

Use this body mass index calculator to check if your current weight falls in the underweight, healthy, overweight, or obesity range. Enter your height and weight in kg/cm or lbs/ft to get an instant score. Then compare your result with our chart and next-step tools, including the ideal weight calculator and water intake calculator.

Your BMI

BMI Categories

Underweight Normal Over Obese

0 18.5 25 30 40+

What is BMI?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared.

BMI is a useful screening tool to identify possible weight problems in adults. However, it is not a diagnostic tool. A healthcare provider should perform further assessments to evaluate health risks.

BMI for Women vs Men

The BMI formula is the same for both women and men. However, body composition differs between genders. Women naturally carry a higher percentage of body fat than men at the same BMI value. For example, a woman with a BMI of 24 may have around 30% body fat, while a man at the same BMI might have 20%.

For women, a healthy BMI generally falls between 18.5 and 24.9, but ideal body fat percentage ranges from 21% to 33%. For men, the same BMI range applies, but healthy body fat is typically 8% to 25%. This is why combining your BMI result with a body fat percentage measurement gives a more complete picture of your health.

BMI Categories:

Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
Obesity: BMI 30 or greater

BMI Weight Ranges by Height

Use this chart to see what weight range falls under each BMI category for your height. All values are in kilograms (kg) and centimeters (cm).

Height	Underweight < 18.5	Normal 18.5 – 24.9	Overweight 25 – 29.9	Obese 30+
150 cm (4'11")	< 41.6 kg	41.6 – 56.1 kg	56.2 – 67.3 kg	> 67.3 kg
155 cm (5'1")	< 44.4 kg	44.4 – 59.9 kg	60.0 – 71.9 kg	> 71.9 kg
160 cm (5'3")	< 47.4 kg	47.4 – 63.7 kg	63.8 – 76.5 kg	> 76.5 kg
165 cm (5'5")	< 50.4 kg	50.4 – 67.8 kg	67.9 – 81.4 kg	> 81.4 kg
170 cm (5'7")	< 53.5 kg	53.5 – 72.0 kg	72.1 – 86.4 kg	> 86.4 kg
175 cm (5'9")	< 56.7 kg	56.7 – 76.3 kg	76.4 – 91.6 kg	> 91.6 kg
180 cm (5'11")	< 59.9 kg	59.9 – 80.7 kg	80.8 – 96.9 kg	> 96.9 kg
185 cm (6'1")	< 63.3 kg	63.3 – 85.2 kg	85.3 – 102.3 kg	> 102.3 kg
190 cm (6'3")	< 66.8 kg	66.8 – 89.9 kg	90.0 – 108.0 kg	> 108.0 kg

Values are calculated using the standard BMI formula: weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². These ranges apply to adults aged 20 and over.

How to Calculate BMI Step by Step

You can calculate your BMI manually using either metric or imperial units:

Metric Formula (kg and cm)

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]²

Convert your height from centimeters to meters by dividing by 100. For example, 170 cm = 1.70 m.
Square your height in meters: 1.70 × 1.70 = 2.89.
Divide your weight in kg by the result: 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2 BMI (Normal weight).

Imperial Formula (lbs and inches)

BMI = [weight (lbs) ÷ height (in)²] × 703

Convert your height to inches. For example, 5 feet 7 inches = 67 inches.
Square your height in inches: 67 × 67 = 4,489.
Divide your weight in pounds by the result: 154 ÷ 4,489 = 0.0343.
Multiply by 703: 0.0343 × 703 = 24.1 BMI (Normal weight).

BMI in kg and feet

If you know your weight in kg but height in feet, first convert feet to meters (1 foot = 0.3048 m). For example, 5'6" = 5.5 feet = 1.676 m. Then use the metric formula: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Or simply use our calculator above and switch between units.

Frequently Asked Questions (BMI kg/cm)

How to calculate BMI in kg and cm?

To calculate BMI using metric units (kg and cm), follow these steps: 1. Multiply your height in meters by itself (height x height). To get meters from cm, divide by 100. 2. Divide your weight (kg) by the result from step 1. Example: Weight = 70kg, Height = 170cm (1.7m). BMI = 70 / (1.7 * 1.7) = 24.2.

What is a healthy BMI for my height and weight?

A "normal" or healthy BMI is generally between 18.5 and 24.9. This range is associated with the lowest risk for weight-related health issues for most adults.

How do I check my BMI in kg?

To check your BMI in kg, simply enter your weight in kilograms and height in centimeters into our calculator above. The formula is: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². For example, if you weigh 65 kg and are 165 cm tall: BMI = 65 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 23.9, which falls in the normal range.

Can BMI be wrong if I have high muscle mass?

Yes. BMI does not separate muscle from body fat, so athletic people can show a higher BMI even when they are metabolically healthy. Use BMI together with waist and body fat data.

What should I do after checking my BMI?

Use BMI as a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your result is outside the healthy range, focus on long-term habits and compare results with our ideal weight calculator for practical targets.

What is a good BMI for a woman?

A healthy BMI for women is between 18.5 and 24.9, the same range as for men. However, women naturally carry more body fat, so a BMI of 22–23 is often considered optimal for most adult women. If you want a more personalised target, try our ideal weight calculator which factors in height and body frame.

How do I calculate BMI in kg and feet?

Convert your height from feet and inches to meters first. Multiply feet by 0.3048 and inches by 0.0254, then add them together. For example, 5 feet 4 inches = (5 × 0.3048) + (4 × 0.0254) = 1.6256 m. Then use the formula: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Or use our calculator above — it handles both metric and imperial units automatically.

What BMI is considered obese?

A BMI of 30 or higher is classified as obese by the World Health Organization. Obesity is further divided into Class I (BMI 30–34.9), Class II (BMI 35–39.9), and Class III or severe obesity (BMI 40+). If your BMI falls in this range, speak with a healthcare provider about a safe plan to improve your health.

Is BMI accurate for older adults?

BMI can be less accurate for adults over 65. Older adults tend to lose muscle mass and gain fat with age, so a “normal” BMI may still hide a higher body fat percentage. For older adults, a slightly higher BMI of 25–27 may actually be associated with better health outcomes. Combining BMI with waist circumference and body fat percentage gives a more complete picture.

Limitations of BMI:

BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat mass. Athletes or muscular individuals may have a high BMI but low body fat. Similarly, older adults may have a normal BMI but higher fat percentage. For a complete health assessment, consider measuring body fat percentage, waist circumference, and consulting healthcare professionals.

Want to know the ideal weight for women by age and height? Our detailed chart breaks it down by body frame size for heights from 4'9" to 6'0".

You can also calculate your ideal body weight using five scientific formulas for a personalised result.

Related Health Tools

Hydration matters: Find out your daily water intake based on your weight to support overall health.
Stress affects weight: Check your stress levels with our free quiz — stress is a major factor in weight fluctuation.