Calculate your Body Mass Index and see where you fall on the healthy weight spectrum.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure of body fat based on height and weight. The formula differs slightly depending on whether you use metric or imperial units:
BMI provides a quick screening tool, not a diagnostic one. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat, so athletes with high muscle mass may have a high BMI without being overweight. It also does not account for bone density, age, sex, or ethnicity, all of which affect body composition.
The World Health Organization defines BMI categories as follows: Underweight is below 18.5, Normal weight is 18.5 to 24.9, Overweight is 25 to 29.9, and Obese is 30 and above. These ranges are based on population-level health risks and may not apply equally to all individuals.
BMI is a useful starting point but has well-documented limitations. It tends to overestimate body fat in muscular individuals and underestimate it in older adults who have lost muscle mass. Waist circumference, body fat percentage, and metabolic health markers often provide a more complete picture of health than BMI alone.