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Calculate your body mass index in kg or pounds and see where it falls on WHO and Asian Indian ranges, where overweight starts from a BMI of 23.
BMI
10000000.0
Category
Obesity range
BMI results are estimates for planning and should be checked against current official rules or professional advice where applicable.
Body mass index is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres. It produces a single number used to screen for underweight and excess weight. This BMI calculator accepts metric or imperial units and places your result on both WHO and Asian ranges.
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2BMI = 703 x weight (lb) / height (in)^2Someone weighing 70 kg at 1.70 m tall has a BMI of 70 / 2.89, which is about 24.2. In imperial units, 154 lb at 67 inches gives roughly 24.1. The small gap comes from rounding during conversion.
Research shows South Asians tend to carry more body fat at a given BMI than Europeans. Their risk of diabetes and heart disease also rises at lower values. That is why Indian guidelines use lower thresholds than the global WHO ranges.
| Category | WHO (global) | Asian / Indian |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5-24.9 | 18.5-22.9 |
| Overweight | 25-29.9 | 23-24.9 |
| Obese | 30 and above | 25 and above |
Our 70 kg, 1.70 m example sits in the normal range under WHO. Under Asian cut-offs, the same 24.2 counts as overweight. Seeing both side by side shows why the reference range matters.
You can also run the formula backwards. At 1.70 m, the Asian normal range of 18.5-22.9 works out to roughly 53.5-66.2 kg. Under WHO ranges, the upper end stretches to about 72 kg. This gives a practical target band rather than a single ideal weight.
BMI does not measure body fat directly. It cannot separate muscle from fat or show where fat sits on the body. Read the number with care in these groups:
Waist size adds useful context. For Indian adults, a waist above 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women often signals raised risk.
Think of BMI as a prompt for a conversation, not a judgement on your health. A doctor weighs blood pressure, blood sugar, family history and lifestyle alongside it. Only a qualified professional can say whether your weight needs attention.
If you track BMI over time, weigh yourself at the same time of day, ideally in the morning. Small daily swings are normal, so trends over months tell you more than any single reading from a BMI calculator. ToolsMate shows the number; what you do with it is best discussed with your doctor.
Use the fields in the tool above and keep units and formats consistent.
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Confirm that the result matches your situation before using it for a decision.
BMI = Weight in kilograms รท Height in metresยฒ.This describes the core logic used by the tool. Check any assumptions that may affect your result.
Use accurate inputs and keep units consistent.
Review the assumptions before using the result for a decision.
Compare important results with an independent or official source.
For Indian adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 is treated as normal under Asian guidelines. A reading of 23 to 24.9 is classed as overweight, and 25 or above as obese. These cut-offs sit lower than the WHO global ranges.
Studies show Asians, including Indians, often have more body fat and abdominal fat than Europeans at the same BMI. This brings diabetes and heart disease risk on earlier. A WHO expert consultation in 2004 recognised this and suggested lower action points.
Not very. BMI treats all weight the same, so a muscular athlete can be labelled overweight with little body fat. Body fat percentage, waist measurement or an assessment by a professional gives a truer picture for very active people.
Adult BMI ranges do not apply to children or teenagers. For ages 2 to 19, the BMI value is compared against growth charts for the same age and sex. A paediatrician can interpret that percentile and explain what it means.
Convert your height fully into inches, then use 703 x weight in pounds divided by height in inches squared. For 5 feet 7 inches, that is 67 inches. If you weigh in kilograms, convert height to metres instead.
Indian guidelines commonly flag a waist above 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women as raised risk. Measure just above your hip bones after breathing out normally. Waist size helps where BMI alone may underestimate the risk.
Not necessarily. A person with a normal BMI can still have high blood sugar, raised cholesterol or excess belly fat. BMI is a screening figure only, so regular check-ups and daily habits matter just as much for overall health.
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