BMI Chart
A BMI chart maps your height and weight to a Body Mass Index score and places it in one of four categories: Underweight, Normal, Overweight, or Obese. This page provides separate charts for men and women, a children's BMI-for-age percentile reference, and a full healthy weight range table by height.
Calculate Your BMI
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This tool is for reference and educational purposes only. It interprets data you already have against published guidelines. It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot measure, test, or assess your health. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
BMI Categories Chart
| Category | BMI Range | Health Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Increased risk including nutritional deficiency and bone loss |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | Low risk |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | Increased risk of metabolic disease |
| Obese Class I | 30.0 – 34.9 | High risk |
| Obese Class II | 35.0 – 39.9 | Very high risk |
| Obese Class III (Severe / Morbid Obesity) | 40.0 and above | Extremely high risk |
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) — Body Mass Index and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Adult BMI Categories
BMI Scale — Where Do You Fall?
Click anywhere on the bar to see the BMI value and its category.
Source: WHO — Body Mass Index and CDC — Adult BMI Categories
BMI Chart for Women
Women naturally carry higher essential body fat than men but use the same BMI category thresholds.
| Height | Underweight (below, lbs) | Normal weight range (lbs) | Overweight starts (lbs) | Obese starts (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 89 | 89 – 119 | 120 | 144 |
| 5'0" | 95 | 95 – 128 | 128 | 154 |
| 5'2" | 101 | 101 – 136 | 137 | 164 |
| 5'4" | 108 | 108 – 145 | 146 | 175 |
| 5'6" | 115 | 115 – 154 | 155 | 186 |
| 5'8" | 122 | 122 – 164 | 164 | 197 |
| 5'10" | 129 | 129 – 174 | 174 | 209 |
| 6'0" | 136 | 136 – 184 | 184 | 221 |
| 6'2" | 144 | 144 – 194 | 195 | 234 |
| 6'4" | 152 | 152 – 205 | 205 | 246 |
Source: CDC — Adult BMI Categories
BMI Chart for Men
Men with high muscle mass may register as overweight or obese on the BMI scale despite low body fat.
| Height | Underweight (below, lbs) | Normal weight range (lbs) | Overweight starts (lbs) | Obese starts (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 89 | 89 – 119 | 120 | 144 |
| 5'0" | 95 | 95 – 128 | 128 | 154 |
| 5'2" | 101 | 101 – 136 | 137 | 164 |
| 5'4" | 108 | 108 – 145 | 146 | 175 |
| 5'6" | 115 | 115 – 154 | 155 | 186 |
| 5'8" | 122 | 122 – 164 | 164 | 197 |
| 5'10" | 129 | 129 – 174 | 174 | 209 |
| 6'0" | 136 | 136 – 184 | 184 | 221 |
| 6'2" | 144 | 144 – 194 | 195 | 234 |
| 6'4" | 152 | 152 – 205 | 205 | 246 |
| 6'6" | 160 | 160 – 215 | 216 | 260 |
Source: CDC — Adult BMI Categories
BMI Chart for Children and Teens
Children and teens use BMI-for-age percentiles rather than fixed category ranges. The same score means different things depending on age and sex.
| Category | BMI-for-Age Percentile |
|---|---|
| Underweight | Below the 5th percentile |
| Healthy weight | 5th through 84th percentile |
| Overweight | 85th through 94th percentile |
| Obese | 95th percentile and above |
Do not apply adult BMI ranges to children. Consult a paediatrician and use the CDC growth chart for children.
Source: CDC — Growth Charts
Healthy Weight Range by Height
| Height | Min Healthy Weight (lbs) | Max Healthy Weight (lbs) | Min Healthy Weight (kg) | Max Healthy Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 89 | 119 | 40 | 54 |
| 4'11" | 92 | 123 | 42 | 56 |
| 5'0" | 95 | 128 | 43 | 58 |
| 5'1" | 98 | 132 | 44 | 60 |
| 5'2" | 101 | 136 | 46 | 62 |
| 5'3" | 104 | 141 | 47 | 64 |
| 5'4" | 108 | 145 | 49 | 66 |
| 5'5" | 111 | 150 | 50 | 68 |
| 5'6" | 115 | 154 | 52 | 70 |
| 5'7" | 118 | 159 | 54 | 72 |
| 5'8" | 122 | 164 | 55 | 74 |
| 5'9" | 125 | 169 | 57 | 77 |
| 5'10" | 129 | 174 | 59 | 79 |
| 5'11" | 133 | 179 | 60 | 81 |
| 6'0" | 136 | 184 | 62 | 83 |
| 6'1" | 140 | 189 | 64 | 86 |
| 6'2" | 144 | 194 | 65 | 88 |
| 6'3" | 148 | 199 | 67 | 90 |
| 6'4" | 152 | 205 | 69 | 93 |
| 6'5" | 156 | 210 | 71 | 95 |
| 6'6" | 160 | 215 | 73 | 98 |
Source: CDC — Adult BMI Categories
BMI Limitations
- BMI does not measure body fat directly. An athlete with high muscle mass can register as Overweight or Obese despite having very low body fat.
- Asian populations face higher health risks starting at BMI 23. Standard WHO thresholds may underestimate risk for this group.
- BMI cannot distinguish visceral fat stored around organs from subcutaneous fat stored under the skin. Visceral fat is the more dangerous type.
- Better complementary measures include waist circumference (above 40 inches in men or above 35 inches in women indicates elevated risk), waist-to-hip ratio, and DEXA body composition scan.
How BMI Is Calculated
BMI uses a simple formula but the calculation differs depending on whether you are using metric or imperial measurements.
Metric Formula
BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.
Example: A person weighing 70 kg who is 1.75 m tall has a BMI of 70 ÷ 1.75² = 70 ÷ 3.0625 = 22.9. This falls in the Normal range.
Imperial Formula
BMI equals weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared, multiplied by 703.
Example: A person weighing 154 lbs who is 5'9" (69 inches) has a BMI of (154 ÷ 69²) × 703 = (154 ÷ 4761) × 703 = 22.7. This falls in the Normal range.
BMI Thresholds for Asian Populations
The World Health Organization recognises that people of Asian descent face higher health risks at lower BMI values than the general WHO thresholds suggest. Many health authorities in Asia and some international guidelines use adjusted cut-off points.
| Category | Standard WHO BMI Threshold | Recommended Asian Population Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 (same) |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | 23.0 – 27.4 |
| Obese | 30.0 and above | 27.5 and above |
BMI Trend Tracker
Log your weight over time and track how your BMI changes. Enter your height once, then log a date and weight for each entry. The chart updates automatically and highlights which BMI zone each reading falls in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a BMI of 25 overweight?
A BMI of exactly 25 sits at the boundary of the Overweight category per WHO and CDC classification. Any score from 25.0 to 29.9 falls in the Overweight range, while 24.9 and below is classified as Normal weight as shown in the categories chart above.
What is a healthy BMI for a woman aged 50?
The same WHO Normal weight range of 18.5 to 24.9 applies to adult women of all ages including those aged 50. However, some clinicians accept a slightly broader range for older adults and recommend discussing individual targets with a doctor.
Can you have a high BMI and still be healthy?
Yes, particularly for athletes with high muscle mass who may register as Overweight or Obese on the BMI scale despite having very low body fat. BMI also cannot distinguish visceral fat from subcutaneous fat, so waist circumference and body composition scans provide a more complete picture.
What is the difference between BMI and body fat percentage?
BMI is an indirect estimate derived from height and weight alone, while body fat percentage directly measures the proportion of fat mass to total body mass. Two people with identical BMI scores can have very different body fat percentages depending on muscle mass and body composition.
How is BMI calculated?
In metric units, BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. In imperial units, BMI equals weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared, multiplied by 703. See the worked examples in the How BMI Is Calculated section above. If you need to convert your height between feet and centimetres first, see the height comparison chart for a full feet-to-cm conversion table.
What BMI is considered obese?
A BMI of 30.0 and above is classified as Obese according to WHO and CDC guidelines. Class III severe obesity, also called morbid obesity, begins at a BMI of 40.
What is an ideal BMI for a man?
The Normal weight range of 18.5 to 24.9 applies to adult men just as it does to women. Some clinicians use the lower end of that range, around 18.5 to 22, as an optimal target for cardiovascular health.
What does a BMI of 30 mean?
A BMI of 30 falls at the entry point of Obese Class I and is associated with significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle intervention is strongly recommended at this level. When adjusting your diet to reach a healthier BMI, lean protein sources like steak are a good choice — see the steak temperature chart for internal temperatures that keep steak safe and nutritious without overcooking.