How BMI is being calculated
The Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator can be used to calculate BMI
value and corresponding weight status while taking age into consideration. Use the
"Metric Units" tab for the International System of Units or the "Other Units" tab to
convert units into either US or metric units. Note that the calculator also computes
the Ponderal Index in addition to BMI, both of which are discussed below in detail.
BMI introduction
BMI is a measurement of a person's leanness or corpulence based on
their height and weight, and is intended to quantify tissue mass. It is widely used
as a general indicator of whether a person has a healthy body weight for their
height. Specifically, the value obtained from the calculation of BMI is used to
categorize whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese
depending on what range the value falls between. These ranges of BMI vary based on
factors such as region and age, and are sometimes further divided into subcategories
such as severely underweight or very severely obese. Being overweight or underweight
can have significant health effects, so while BMI is an imperfect measure of healthy
body weight, it is a useful indicator of whether any additional testing or action is
required.
BMI table for adults
BMI chart for adults
This is a graph of BMI categories based on the World Health
Organization data. The dashed lines represent subdivisions within a major
categorization.
BMI table for children and teens, age 2–20
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
BMI categorization for children and teens between age 2 and 20.
