Put the values and get your BMI calculated with our tool!
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Obese
Overweight
Normal
Underweight
Based on the height and weight entered, your BMI is indicating your weight is in the Category for adults. For your height,a normal weight range would be from to
What is a BMI Calculator?
The BMI calculator stands short for the Body Mass Index calculator, a fantastic tool to measure your fatness or leanness, considering your weight and height. The tool helps you determine where your weight falls and whether or not it is in the healthy zone.
You can assess whether you need to gain or lose weight based on the results. If you want to check your BMI, you can use our easy-to-use BMI calculator and get your results immediately!
Body Mass Index or BMI; What is it?
Body mass index describes leanness or fatness based on weight and height. It gives you the ratio between your weight (kilograms) and height (square meters).
The measurement is more like a health assessment, assessing whether or not the person falls within a healthy body weight range as per their height. Based on the BMI results (where the BMI value falls), the person is categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese.
This tool is very beneficial to keep checking whether your weight falls in the normal category or not because being both underweight and overweight can have negative consequences.
Hence, you can use this tool as a health assessment to check your weight and take the required steps accordingly.
How Can I Calculate My BMI?
You can calculate your BMI using two different scales; the Metric scale and the Imperial scale.
Here is how to use them to calculate BMI.
Using the Metric Scale
- To use the metric scale, start by measuring your weight in kilograms.
- Always check your weight when you’re empty stomach for best results.
- After you’ve measured your weight, use a Stadiometer to measure your height.
- Divide it by 100 to convert your height to meters.
- Now add these values to the formula below to get your BMI.
BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height 2 (meter 2 )
Using the Imperial Scale
- For this scale, you’ll need your weight in pounds.
- Use a digital weighing machine to measure your weight.
- Now measure your height in inches and multiply it to get the squared value.
- After you have these values, put them in the following formula.
BMI = Weight (lb) ÷ height 2 (in 2) × 703
BMI Table for Adults
This BMI table is for both males and females of age 20 or above.
| Category | BMI |
| Underweight | <18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5-24.9 |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 |
| Obese | 30-39.9 |
Understanding BMI Results
The results of the BMI calculator for women and men are divided into four broad weight categories. Here’s how you should understand the results of the BMI calculator.
1. Underweight
If you get the answer that you’re underweight, it means that you aren’t consuming enough food or that you’re sick. Seek help from your general physician if your BMI results show you’re underweight.
2. Healthy Weight
This category means that your weight falls in the ideal spot. You’re weight and height ratio is suitable for your age. Keep working hard like you already are to stick with this weight!
3. Over Weight
If the BMI calculator results show that you’re overweight, you’ll need to reduce the extra weight. Keep your diet healthy but don’t forget to exercise too!
4. Obese
Being obese means that your current weight may pose some health risks, and reducing weight is not just recommended; it is necessary. While exercise and diet may work, you might need additional help from medications. Consult your general physician for guidelines.
Health Risks of Being Overweight
If you’re overweight, you’re at risk of developing certain medical conditions or diseases. People who are overweight or very obese may be at risk of the following conditions.
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes – Type II
- Metabolic syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Gall bladder diseases
- High blood pressure
- Breathing issues and sleep apnea
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Depression
- Poor quality of life
- Pulmonary issues
- Cancers (colon, kidney, gall bladder, endometrial, liver)
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Difficulty in performing everyday tasks
- Body pains
- Increased mortality risk
- Higher LDL levels (bad cholesterol)
The BMI calculator men and women show your results so you can assess your current weight and body condition. Suppose you are overweight or obese; it’s best to reduce weight by including weight-loss foods and exercise in your daily routine. The problems mentioned above are critical, especially for those who are very obese.
Health Risks of Being Underweight
While being overweight is a serious issue, being underweight is no better. As in the previous case, being underweight also brings certain health risks, as covered below.
- Anemia, vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition
- Weak immune system
- Low bone mineral density
- Issues with development and growth, especially in teenagers and children
- Hormonal and reproductive problems in women
- Potential surgery complications
- Increased mortality risk
Being underweight can sometimes point to some underlying disease or health condition. In such as case, it’s best to consult your doctor for guidelines to improve health.
BMI: The Limitations
While the body mass index is an effective way to measure your body size, it is limited in a certain way. Because it doesn’t consider some essential factors, like body fat, lean mass composition, and nutritional status. Here are some limitations.
- Body mass index accurately measures your nutritional status in general with your current weight and height. Still, it doesn’t consider the body muscle mass and fat percentage. This means that even when athletes or adults have low body fat, BMI measurement will categorize them as obese or overweight.
- It makes no difference between bone mass, water weight, etc.
- BMI does not consider factors like ethnicity, sex, age, and activity levels.
- BMI ignores the sex factor. The BMI of females and males are the same on the scale, even though women have more fat mass and men have greater muscle mass.
- BMI makes no consideration for pregnant women.
- People aged 19 years or below cannot use the BMI scale.
Besides the BMI, the waist-to-hip ratio is also an essential factor to consider because it helps assess the fat around the middle of the body to assess health risks. Yet, it’s not suited for pregnant women, children, and people with a medical condition leading to an enlarged tummy.
Who Shouldn’t Use a BMI Calculator?
The BMI calculator should not be used by athletes, muscle builders, pregnant women, young children, or the elderly. The BMI calculator is also unsuitable for pregnant and lactating women as their bodies change composition, making the BMI inaccurate.
While most people can use the BMI calculator, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Since the BMI calculator female and male don’t note whether it is muscle or fat weight, the results can be deceiving for the above categories.
Since athletes have more muscle mass, they may be shown as having a high BMI yet may not be at a health risk. Alternatively, those with low muscle mass, like children or elderly adults, may show lower BMI.
BMI Calculator for Children
Experts suggest that a child’s BMI calculator measures heavy children’s body fat. Nevertheless, for some children, this measurement can be misleading. Kids often have more muscle mass than fat mass.
Sometimes, they have a small body and more fat, yet the BMI results show a normal category. Athletic kids may fall under the overweight category on the BMI scale though they have more muscle mass. While BMI measurement can work for kids, it has some limitations.
BMI Table for Children
| Category | BMI in Percentile Range |
| Underweight | <5% |
| Normal or Healthy Weight | 5% – 85% |
| Overweight | 85% – 95% |
| Obese | >95% |
Final Words
Now that you know about BMI, the BMI calculator tool, and how it works, you’re all set to try it out for yourself. Take the BMI measurement as a starting point regarding your weight loss or gain journey and consult your general physician for more accurate weight and health assessments.
With your weight in check and goals in line, you can work towards achieving your weight goals. If you’ve already tried our BMI calculator, don’t forget to use our other fantastic calculators!
FAQs
What is the appropriate BMI for my age?
The BMI calculator by age can help you assess your accurate BMI. You’ll need to know your present height and weight to get your BMI. The suitable BMI for your age varies based on factors like ethnicity. Your BMI should fall in the range of 18 to 24.9.
Is 22.04 BMI suitable?
Above 24.0, you reach the overweight stage, and below 18.5, you fall into the underweight range. A BMI value of 22.04 falls in the normal category; hence is good.
What is a healthy BMI for women?
Irrespective of your gender, the BMI varies depending on weight, height, and age. Research shows that even though women have greater fat mass than men, it doesn’t make much difference. So, there is no specific BMI considered healthy for women.
Does BMI change with my age?
Yes, BMI changes as you age. After the age of 1, the BMI for age starts to drop, and it keeps dropping till the preschool years, reaching a minimum of 4 to 6 years. After this age, this BMI-for-age starts to increase till adulthood through the adolescent years.
What is a good BMI for an older woman?
A BMI of 25 to 27 is ideal for senior or older women. Yet, this number is not fixed and may vary based on age and height from one person to the other.
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Emily Smith is a talented content writer, wielding words to create captivating stories and informative articles across a wide range of topics. With a passion for effective communication and a love for research, Emily consistently produces engaging and valuable content. She’s dedicated to conveying ideas clearly and compellingly, making her a sought-after voice in the digital sphere. When not writing, Emily enjoys immersing herself in art, nature, and culinary adventures for fresh bursts of creativity.
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