BMI Calculator

The BMI -- which is a measure of the weight you weigh to your height -- will help determine if you are at an appropriate weight.

Calculate Your Body Mass Index

Your BMIcan tell you whether you're carrying too much, too little or the proper weight.

En espanol The body mass index (BMI) is a measure of your body's weight that is based on you height as well as weight. Doctors use BMI in conjunction with other health indicators, to assess the state of health of an adult as well as potential health risks. The people with higher BMIs are more likely to develop chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and heart disease. To calculate your personal BMI, use this calculator.

To calculate your BMI to calculate your BMI, choose your weight, height and size in the table below. If you click the Calculate' button, you'll be taken to a section regarding your results.Height 4 5' 6' 7' 0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 8" 9" 10" 11" Weightlbs.CALCULATE

(NOTE: BMIshould not be used to evaluate a child's weight because the ideal weight for a child can vary greatly according to age.)

In general, people who have larger BMIs are at a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease excessive blood pressure and sleep apnea as well as type 2 diabetes. However, many other factors like your family history, eating habits, and level of activitycan affect your overall health.

BMI results from the calculator are placed into the broad categories of underweight, healthy weight, obese and overweight.

When you look over your results, remember that BMI has its limits and that BMI recommendations can differ based on gender, as well as other variables. (For instance, BMI may underestimate body fat levels in an older person having lost their muscle.)

If you have any questions or are concerned about you BMI results, you should consult your doctor or health care provider.

FAQs

What is BMI?

BMI also known as body mass index is a screening device that takes into account the person's height and weight. It places people into four weight groups (underweight healthy weight, underweight, overweight, obese) that could be connected to health problems. But BMI isn't the only way to determine the health of an individual.

What is a healthy BMI?

Healthy weight refers to a BMI of between 18.5 between 18.5 and 24.9. In this category, a person's weight is less prone to health issues than those in the overweight category, obese and overweight categories.

What should My BMI Be?

"Healthy weight" is the "healthy weight" category--defined as having a BMI that is between 18.5 to 24.9--is considered to be the ideal. Be aware that BMI does not provide a complete measurement. It does, for instance, not take into account how much fat you have or where the fat is distributed, factors that may affect your metabolic health.

What do I calculate BMI calculated?

Body mass index (BMI) is the person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.

How accurate does it measure BMI?

It depends. BMI cannot tell you how much of your weight is either muscle or fat, so it misses information important in assessing your health risks.For instance, athletes might have an excessive BMI due to their muscle mass, even if they're not obese. In addition, the definitions for the weight classes were based primarily on whites, so it might not be the most accurate for people of other races and ethnic groups.

What can age and race impact BMI?

BMI doesn't differentiate between bone, fat and muscle; therefore, it's less reliable when it comes to older people who tend to reduce muscle mass and bone density as they age. (That's why those over 65 can gain from a slightly higher BMI, between 25 and 27.) Studies show it is true that the BMI standard for defining obesity exaggerates risk in Black people , and undervalues risk for people of Asian heritage, which could cause unsuitable treatment and health disparities.

Are BMI recommendations the same for men as for women?

The quantity of body fat differs between females and males. For women the ideal amount of body fat should be between 20 and 21 percent. (The the average American woman has between 22 to 25 percent body fat.) For men, the recommended amount of body fat should be between 13-17 percent. (The average American male has between 17 - 19 percent bodyfat.)

To determine your ideal bodyweight, try this formula:

• Women 100 lbs total bodyweight for the first 5 feet + 5 pounds for each additional inch.
• Men: 106 lbs of total body mass for the initial 5 feet of height plus 6 pounds for every additional inch.

If you're sporting a small body frame, subtract 10 percent from that figure. For a large frame, add 10 percent.