Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple way to understand whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height. It’s not a perfect measurement—it doesn’t account for muscle mass or body composition—but it gives a quick snapshot of potential health risks related to underweight, overweight, or obesity.

Just enter your height and weight, and this tool will calculate your BMI instantly. You’ll also see which category you fall into, helping you make informed choices about fitness, nutrition, and overall health.

BMI is used worldwide by doctors, nutritionists, and fitness professionals to track health trends and guide lifestyle changes. Think of it as a first step toward understanding your body, not the full story.

What is BMI and Why It Matters

BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a number calculated from your weight and height. It’s a widely used tool that gives you a quick snapshot of whether your weight might be healthy, underweight, or overweight. While it doesn’t measure body fat directly or account for things like muscle mass, bone density, or overall body composition, it’s still a helpful starting point for understanding your health.

How BMI Works

BMI is a measure that compares your weight to your height.

• If you use kilograms and meters: Divide your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters) squared. In other words, multiply your height by itself, then divide your weight by that number.
• If you use pounds and inches: Multiply your weight (in pounds) by 703, then divide that by your height (in inches) squared. Again, square your height first, then divide.

This calculation gives a number that shows whether you’re underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

Once calculated, your BMI falls into one of the standard categories:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 – 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 – 29.9
• Obesity: BMI 30 or higher

These categories help doctors, nutritionists, and fitness professionals identify potential health risks.

Why BMI Isn’t Perfect

BMI is a great starting point, but it has limitations. For example:

• Muscle vs. fat: Muscular people may have a high BMI but low body fat.
• Age and sex: BMI ranges don’t adjust for differences between men, women, or age groups.
• Overall health: BMI doesn’t tell you about heart health, cholesterol, or other medical factors.

Think of it as a general guide, not a final verdict on your health.

How to Use This Calculator

Using this BMI calculator is simple:

1. Enter your height in meters or inches.
2. Enter your weight in kilograms or pounds.
3. Click Calculate.

In seconds, you’ll see your BMI value and the category you fall into. This can help you track your progress, set realistic health goals, or simply understand your body a little better.

Takeaways

• BMI is a quick way to assess weight-related health risk.
• It’s not perfect—other factors like body composition, fitness level, and lifestyle matter too.
• Use it as a tool, not a judgment.

With this BMI calculator, you’re taking a simple but powerful step toward better awareness of your health.