Health Nerds | Health and Fitness | BMI - Body Mass Index Calculator

In June 1998, the federal government announced guidelines which create a new definition of a healthy weight -- a BMI of 24 or less. So now a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9, and have a waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women, are considered to be at especially high risk for health problems.

Use the BMI Calculator or BMI Chart to figure your BMI and then refer to the Classification Chart at the bottom of the page to see ranges for a healthy BMI.

Body Mass Index Calculator

Note: Put a 0 in the inches box if necessary.
Results will be wrong if you leave the inches box empty.
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To use the table below, find the appropriate height in the left-hand column. Move across to a given weight. The number at the top of the column is the BMI for that height and weight. Pounds have been rounded off.

BMI Chart

BMI	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	35	40
Height	Weight (lb.)
4'10"	91	96	100	105	110	115	119	124	129	134	138	143	167	191
4'11"	94	99	104	109	114	119	124	128	133	138	143	148	173	198
5'0"	97	102	107	112	118	123	128	133	138	143	148	153	179	204
5'1"	100	106	111	116	122	127	132	137	143	148	153	158	185	211
5'2"	104	109	115	120	126	131	136	142	147	153	158	164	191	218
5'3"	107	113	118	124	130	135	141	146	152	158	163	169	197	225
5'4"	110	116	122	128	134	140	145	151	157	163	169	174	204	232
5'5"	114	120	126	132	138	144	150	156	162	168	174	180	210	240
5'6"	118	124	130	136	142	148	155	161	167	173	179	186	216	247
5'7"	121	127	134	140	146	153	159	166	172	178	185	191	223	255
5'8"	125	131	138	144	151	158	164	171	177	184	190	197	230	262
5'9"	128	135	142	149	155	162	169	176	182	189	196	203	236	270
5'10"	132	139	146	153	160	167	174	181	188	195	202	207	243	278
5'11"	136	143	150	157	165	172	179	186	193	200	208	215	250	286
6'0"	140	147	154	162	169	177	184	191	199	206	213	221	258	294
6'1"	144	151	159	166	174	182	189	197	204	212	219	227	265	302
6'2"	148	155	163	171	179	186	194	202	210	218	225	233	272	311
6'3"	152	160	168	176	184	192	200	208	216	224	232	240	279	319
6'4"	156	164	172	180	189	197	205	213	221	230	238	246	287	328

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Both Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) can be useful measures in determining obesity and increased health risk. According to the National Institutes of Health, a high WC is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease when BMI is between 25 and 34.9. A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese. WC can be useful for those people categorized as normal or overweight in terms of BMI. (For example, a body builder may have a BMI greater than 25 - making him overweight on the BMI scale - but a WC measurement would show that he is not overweight).

To determine your Waist Circumference, do a waist measurement right at the upper hip bone. The following chart should be helpful in determining the possible risks associated with your BMI and WC.

Classification of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks
			*Disease Risk Relative to Normal Weight and Waist Circumference**
	BMI (kg/m²)	Obesity Class	Men 102 cm (40 in) or less Women 88 cm (35 in) or less	Men > 102 cm (40 in) Women > 88 cm (35 in)
Underweight	< 18.5		-	-
Normal	18.5 - 24.9		-	-
Overweight	25.0 - 29.9		Increased	High
Obesity	30.0 - 34.9	I	High	Very High
	35.0 - 39.9	II	Very High	Very High
Extreme Obesity	40.0 +	III	Extremely High	Extremely High

* Disease risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CVD.
+ Increased waist circumference can also be a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight.

SOURCE: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

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Body Mass Index Calculator

Classification of Overweight and Obesity by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks

Classification of Overweight and Obesity
by BMI, Waist Circumference, and Associated Disease Risks