BMI Calculator for Adults
Check your body mass index, BMI category, and healthy weight range. For adults age 20 and older.
Adult BMI only
This calculator uses adult BMI screening categories. Children and teens need BMI-for-age percentiles rather than adult BMI thresholds.
Reviewed April 5, 2026. Methodology and sources are listed below.
Standing height without shoes.
Typical adult range: 4'11" - 6'7"
Current body weight.
Typical adult range: 100-330 lbs
Your BMI Results
Adult BMI screening ranges based on CDC and WHO guidance
General Guidance
Enter measurements to see recommendations
BMI Lookup Table
A larger visual table that recenters around your current height and weight and highlights your approximate BMI cell
This table updates live from your inputs and shifts its range so the most relevant rows and columns stay visible. Your approximate position is highlighted automatically.
Use it as a quick visual guide. The result cards above remain the most precise reading on the page.
| Height | Weight (kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cm | ||||||||||||||||||||
Healthy Weight Range by Height
Server-rendered adult reference ranges for common heights
This reference table shows the adult healthy weight range for common heights using a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
Unlike the lookup table above, this section is static and is not recentered around your inputs.
| Height (cm) | Height (ft/in) | Healthy Weight (kg) | Healthy Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | 4'11" | 41.6 - 56.0 kg | 92 - 124 lb |
| 155 | 5'1" | 44.4 - 59.8 kg | 98 - 132 lb |
| 160 | 5'3" | 47.4 - 63.7 kg | 104 - 141 lb |
| 165 | 5'5" | 50.4 - 67.8 kg | 111 - 149 lb |
| 170 | 5'7" | 53.5 - 72.0 kg | 118 - 159 lb |
| 175 | 5'9" | 56.7 - 76.3 kg | 125 - 168 lb |
| 180 | 5'11" | 59.9 - 80.7 kg | 132 - 178 lb |
| 185 | 6'1" | 63.3 - 85.2 kg | 140 - 188 lb |
| 190 | 6'3" | 66.8 - 89.9 kg | 147 - 198 lb |
| 195 | 6'5" | 70.3 - 94.7 kg | 155 - 209 lb |
About BMI
What adult BMI measures, how it is calculated, and how to interpret the screening ranges
What BMI measures
Body mass index (BMI) is a screening measure based on height and weight. It helps estimate whether an adult is underweight, at a healthy weight, overweight, or in an obesity category.
BMI does not directly measure body fat, fitness, or overall health. It works best as a quick screening tool that is combined with other context such as waist circumference, symptoms, medical history, and clinical judgement.
Standard adult BMI uses the same formula and category thresholds for men and women. Differences in body composition are one reason BMI should be interpreted alongside other health context.
Adult BMI categories
Under 18.5
Underweight
18.5 - 24.9
Healthy weight
25.0 - 29.9
Overweight
30.0 and above
Obesity
Adults with a BMI of 40 or above are often described as being in a severe obesity category.
Metric formula
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m)
Example: 70 kg ÷ (1.75 m × 1.75 m) = 22.9
Imperial formula
BMI = (weight (lb) ÷ height² (in)) × 703
Example: (154 lb ÷ 69²) × 703 = 22.7
Important scope note
This page is for adults age 20 and older. Children and teens require BMI-for-age percentiles rather than adult cutoffs, so the same BMI number can mean different things at younger ages.
BMI Limitations
Why BMI is useful as a screening metric but incomplete on its own
What BMI misses
- • BMI does not distinguish body fat from muscle mass.
- • It does not show where fat is distributed on the body.
- • It may be less informative for athletes, older adults, or people with unusual body composition.
- • Health risk can differ even among adults with the same BMI.
If you want a tape-based estimate that adds body-composition context BMI cannot show, try the Body Fat Calculator .
When to talk to a healthcare professional
- • Your BMI result is outside the healthy-weight range.
- • You have recent weight changes or symptoms that concern you.
- • You want advice that considers medications, labs, or medical history.
- • You are planning major diet, exercise, or weight-loss changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the most common adult BMI questions
What is a healthy BMI for adults?
For adults age 20 and older, a BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 is generally considered the healthy-weight range. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Does BMI work well for muscular adults or athletes?
Not always. BMI does not separate body fat from muscle mass, so some muscular adults can land in a higher BMI category even when their overall health risk is different.
Can children and teens use this BMI calculator?
No. Children and teens should use BMI-for-age percentiles rather than adult BMI categories because age and sex change how the results are interpreted.
How is the healthy weight range estimated?
The calculator estimates the weight range that corresponds to an adult BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 for your height. It is a practical screening estimate rather than a medical diagnosis.
Methodology & Sources
How the calculator works and which public-health references it follows
Methodology
- • Formula: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m).
- • Imperial inputs are converted to the same adult BMI screening model.
- • Healthy weight range is estimated from adult BMI 18.5 to 24.9.
- • Reviewed April 5, 2026.