Does BMI distinguish between muscle and fat?

No. Muscular athletes and bodybuilders may register as overweight or obese on BMI scales despite having low body fat.

How do I calculate my ideal body weight?

Our calculator computes the minimum and maximum healthy weights for your height corresponding to a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.

General Calculators

BMI Calculator

Calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) using metric (kg/cm) or imperial (lbs/inches) units and view WHO category classifications.

Weight (Kilograms - kg)

Height (Centimeters - cm)

Body Mass Index (BMI) Score

23 kg/m²

Category:Normal weight

Healthy Target Range (BMI 18.5 - 24.9)

For your height of 172 cm, a normal healthy weight is:

54.7 – 73.7 kg

Body Mass Index (BMI) & Weight Range Formulas

Calculates Body Mass Index using the standard World Health Organization (WHO) formula and compares against international and Asian-Indian health thresholds.

Metric: BMI = Weight (kg) / [Height (m)]^2 | Imperial: BMI = [Weight (lbs) * 703] / [Height (inches)]^2

Calculation Steps

1Convert height in centimeters to meters: Height (m) = Height (cm) / 100.
2Square the height in meters.
3Divide weight in kilograms by height squared.
4Classify into WHO Category: Underweight (<18.5), Normal (18.5-24.9), Overweight (25-29.9), Obese (>=30).

Practical Example

Scenario: Height 175 cm (1.75 m) and Weight 70 kg

Inputs: Height: 175 cm | Weight: 70 kg

Calculation: BMI = 70 / (1.75 * 1.75) = 70 / 3.0625 = 22.86 kg/m²

Result: BMI: 22.86 kg/m² | Category: Normal Weight (Healthy)

Assumptions & Disclaimers

Key Assumptions:

Adult formula applies to individuals aged 18 and older.
Healthy weight range corresponds to BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

BMI is an epidemiological screening tool and does not directly measure body fat percentage, muscle mass, or metabolic health. Consult a physician or registered dietitian for clinical health assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

The WHO and Ministry of Health in India recommend a lower cut-off for Asian populations due to higher body fat percentage at lower BMIs: Normal is 18.5 to 22.9, Overweight is 23 to 24.9, and Obese is >= 25.