BMI Calculator
Work out your Body Mass Index using the Asian-Indian cut-offs recommended for Indian adults.
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is your weight divided by the square of your height. It is a quick way to screen whether your weight sits in a healthy range for your height. It is not a direct measure of body fat, and it cannot tell where fat is stored, but it is a useful starting point that needs no special equipment.
How this calculator works
Enter your weight and height in either metric (kg, cm) or imperial (lb, in) using the unit toggles. The calculator converts everything to kilograms and metres, then divides weight by height squared. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere or stored.
What your result means
This tool uses the Asian-Indian cut-offs, which are lower than the global WHO standard. Indians develop diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than many other populations, so the WHO Asia-Pacific guidance recommends acting earlier:
| BMI | Asian-Indian category | WHO standard |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 22.9 | Normal weight | Normal weight (up to 24.9) |
| 23 to 24.9 | Overweight | Normal weight |
| 25 and above | Obese | Overweight (obese from 30) |
So a BMI of 24 is "normal" by the global standard but "overweight" by the Asian-Indian cut-offs that apply to most Indian adults.
Limitations to keep in mind
BMI does not separate muscle from fat, so it can overestimate risk in very muscular people and underestimate it in those with low muscle. It also says nothing about where fat sits. Abdominal fat matters most for Indians, so pair your BMI with your waist circumference (a healthy waist is generally below 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women in India) and discuss the full picture with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is BMI accurate for Indian adults?
BMI is a quick screening number, not a direct measure of body fat. Indians tend to carry more abdominal (visceral) fat at a given BMI, which is why Asian-Indian cut-offs are lower. It is best read alongside your waist circumference.
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
By the Asian-Indian cut-offs, a BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2 is the healthy range. Overweight begins at 23 and obesity at 25.
Why are the cut-offs lower than the WHO standard?
Asian populations show higher diabetes and heart-disease risk at a lower BMI, so the WHO Asia-Pacific guidance set lower thresholds (overweight 23, obese 25) than the global standard (overweight 25, obese 30).
Does BMI work for athletes or older adults?
It can mislead. Very muscular people may have a high BMI with little fat, and in some older adults BMI underestimates fat. Waist size and body composition add useful context.
My BMI is high - what should I do?
Use it as a prompt, not a diagnosis. Your doctor can look at waist circumference, blood sugar, blood pressure and lipids together to judge your actual metabolic risk.
Formula source: WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations. Lancet 2004;363:157-163.
Related reading
Want every value on your report explained?
Upload your lab report PDF and get a plain-language explanation of every parameter, in under 2 minutes.
Get started free