BMI Calculator with WHO and Asian-Indian Cut-offs
Calculate your Body Mass Index in cm/kg or feet/inches and see both the international (WHO) category and the lower cut-offs used for Indians. For adults aged 18 and over. Free, private, no sign-up.
Your BMI
22.5
WHO (international): Normal weight
Asian-Indian cut-offs: Normal weight
Bar shows the WHO scale.
BMI categories: WHO vs Asian-Indian (adults, kg/m²)
| Category | WHO (international) | Asian-Indian consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | 23.0 – 24.9 |
| Obese | 30.0 and above | 25.0 and above |
How to use the BMI calculator
- Choose Metric (cm and kg) or Imperial (feet, inches and pounds).
- Enter your height and weight. In Metric mode you can type exact values or drag the sliders.
- Read your BMI to one decimal place, with its category on the WHO scale and on the Asian-Indian scale.
- Check the healthy weight range for your height shown under the result.
BMI formula and a worked example
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]²
Example 1: 170 cm and 65 kg. Height in metres is 1.70, and 1.70² = 2.89. BMI = 65 ÷ 2.89 = 22.5, which is normal on both scales.
Example 2: same height, 68 kg. BMI = 68 ÷ 2.89 = 23.5. On the WHO scale this is still normal, but on the Asian-Indian scale it is overweight. This is exactly the gap the Indian cut-offs are designed to catch.
Healthy weight range = 18.5 × height² to the upper normal limit × height². For 170 cm that is about 53.5 to 72.0 kg on the WHO scale (upper limit 24.9) and 53.5 to 66.2 kg on the Indian scale (upper limit 22.9).
Key facts
- BMI (Body Mass Index) is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.
- WHO adult categories: underweight below 18.5, normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese 30 and above.
- Indian consensus guidelines: normal 18.5–22.9, overweight 23–24.9, obese 25 and above.
- BMI is a screening tool for adults; it does not measure body fat directly.
Tips for reading your result
- Measure accurately. Weigh yourself in the morning in light clothing, and measure height without shoes.
- Look at your waist too. A waist of 90 cm or more (men) or 80 cm or more (women) signals abdominal obesity under Indian guidelines, even when BMI looks normal.
- Do not over-read one decimal. A BMI of 22.8 and 23.1 carry similar risk; the trend over months matters more.
- Talk to a doctor before major diet or exercise changes, especially if your BMI is below 18.5 or 25 and above on the Indian scale.
- For aspirants: some recruitment medical standards (for example, uniformed services) set their own height and weight rules. Always check the official notification rather than a general BMI chart.
Frequently asked questions
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres (kg/m²). For example, a person who is 170 cm tall and weighs 65 kg has a BMI of 65 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 22.5.
What is a normal BMI for Indians?
For Asian Indians, a BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 is considered normal, 23.0 to 24.9 is overweight and 25 or above is obese. These lower cut-offs come from the Indian consensus guidelines (Misra et al., 2009, revised in 2025). The 2009 statement put the lower limit of normal at 18.0; the 2025 revision uses 18.5. The international WHO normal range is 18.5 to 24.9.
Why are BMI cut-offs lower for Indians?
Because Asian Indians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the abdomen, and develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than European populations. A 2004 WHO expert consultation kept the international cut-offs but identified 23 and 27.5 kg/m² as additional public-health action points for Asian populations.
How do I calculate BMI with height in feet and inches?
Convert to metric first: height in metres = (feet × 12 + inches) × 0.0254, and weight in kg = pounds × 0.45359237. For 5 ft 7 in and 143 lb, that is 1.7018 m and 64.86 kg, giving a BMI of about 22.4. Switch to Imperial mode and the calculator does this for you.
Is BMI accurate for everyone?
No. BMI is a quick screening measure, not a diagnosis. It does not separate muscle from fat, so athletes can score high, and it is not used for children and teenagers (they use BMI-for-age charts) or during pregnancy. Waist size adds useful information: Indian guidelines treat a waist of 90 cm or more in men and 80 cm or more in women as abdominal obesity.
Is my data stored anywhere?
No. The calculation happens entirely in your browser. Your height and weight are not uploaded or saved.