Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator and Table
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2017/12/22 - Updated: 2024/09/26
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Explains what body mass index measurement means, includes BMI calculator and chart for adults and instructions on how to measure your waist circumference.
Why it matters: A Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator is a valuable tool for assessing an individual's health status related to their weight and height. It provides a quick and easy way to determine if a person falls within a healthy weight range, is underweight, overweight, or obese. When combined with waist circumference measurements, BMI can help identify potential health risks associated with excess body fat, such as an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. This information can be particularly useful for healthcare professionals and individuals alike in evaluating overall health, setting weight management goals, and monitoring progress over time. However, it's important to note that BMI is just one factor in assessing overall health and should be considered alongside other health indicators and individual circumstances - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The body mass index (BMI) is a number derived from a formula, used to compare and analyse the health effects of weight on people of all ages and heights. Use our instant online body mass index calculator to find your current BMI measurement and learn how to measure your waist circumference.
Main Item
Your body mass index measurement combined with your Waist Circumference measurement can be used to determine obesity and the increased risk for various diseases. A high waist circumference is often associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia and hypertension when your BMI is calculated between 25 and 34.9.
NOTE: For children aged 1 to 20 use our Body Mass Index Calculator for Children to calculate a child's BMI.
How to Measure Waist Circumference
Waist Circumference measurement is handy for people whose BMI indicates they maybe normal or overweight. EG. an athlete with an increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25 - making them overweight on the BMI scale, however a Waist Circumference measurement would indicate that they are in fact not overweight. Men with a waist circumference more than 102 cm (40 in) and women with a waist circumference more than 88 cm (35 in) are at increased risk of developing health problems - Male and Female Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Find your upper hip bone, the waist is usually measured at one inch above the naval, place a measuring tape around the abdomen, be sure the tape is horizontal, the tape measure should be firm but should not compress the skin. Changes in your waist circumference over time can indicate an increase or decrease in your abdominal fat, an increase in abdominal fat is associated with an greater risk of developing heart disease. Physical activity and good nutrition are key factors in a healthy lifestyle.
Remember, BMI is only one piece of a person's health profile and just one of the many factors related to developing a serious disease. There are other factors that are important when assessing your risk for chronic disease including:
- Blood Sugar Level
- Cholesterol Level
- Family History of diseases
- Daily Diet
- Waist Circumference
- Blood Pressure
- Physical Activity
Adult BMI Chart
To read the Adults BMI chart, or table, find your height in the left-hand column labeled Height. Then move across to your weight (in pounds). The number at the top of the column is the correct BMI measurement for that height and weight. To keep the page mobile friendly, the chart consists of 4 progressive tables - so if your numbers don't match the first table move down to the next one.
(Pounds have been rounded off)*. See further down the page for a printable BMI chart for adults.
BMI 19-27 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height Inches | Weight Pounds |
||||||||
58 | 91 | 96 | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 | 119 | 124 | 129 |
59 | 94 | 99 | 104 | 109 | 114 | 119 | 124 | 128 | 133 |
60 | 97 | 102 | 107 | 112 | 118 | 123 | 128 | 133 | 138 |
61 | 100 | 106 | 111 | 116 | 122 | 127 | 132 | 137 | 143 |
62 | 104 | 109 | 115 | 120 | 126 | 131 | 136 | 142 | 147 |
63 | 107 | 113 | 118 | 124 | 130 | 135 | 141 | 146 | 152 |
64 | 110 | 116 | 122 | 128 | 134 | 140 | 145 | 151 | 157 |
65 | 114 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 144 | 150 | 156 | 162 |
66 | 118 | 124 | 130 | 136 | 142 | 148 | 155 | 161 | 167 |
67 | 121 | 127 | 134 | 140 | 146 | 153 | 159 | 166 | 172 |
68 | 125 | 131 | 138 | 144 | 151 | 158 | 164 | 171 | 177 |
69 | 128 | 135 | 142 | 149 | 155 | 162 | 169 | 176 | 182 |
70 | 132 | 139 | 146 | 153 | 160 | 167 | 174 | 181 | 188 |
71 | 136 | 143 | 150 | 157 | 165 | 172 | 179 | 186 | 193 |
72 | 140 | 147 | 154 | 162 | 169 | 177 | 184 | 191 | 199 |
73 | 144 | 151 | 159 | 166 | 174 | 182 | 189 | 197 | 204 |
74 | 148 | 155 | 163 | 171 | 179 | 186 | 194 | 202 | 210 |
75 | 152 | 160 | 168 | 176 | 184 | 192 | 200 | 208 | 216 |
76 | 156 | 164 | 172 | 180 | 189 | 197 | 205 | 213 | 221 |
BMI 28-36 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
Height Inches | Weight Pounds |
||||||||
58 | 134 | 138 | 143 | 148 | 153 | 158 | 162 | 167 | 172 |
59 | 138 | 143 | 148 | 153 | 158 | 163 | 168 | 173 | 178 |
60 | 143 | 148 | 153 | 158 | 163 | 168 | 174 | 179 | 184 |
61 | 148 | 153 | 158 | 164 | 169 | 174 | 180 | 185 | 190 |
62 | 153 | 158 | 164 | 169 | 175 | 180 | 186 | 191 | 196 |
63 | 158 | 163 | 169 | 175 | 180 | 186 | 191 | 197 | 203 |
64 | 163 | 169 | 174 | 180 | 186 | 192 | 197 | 204 | 209 |
65 | 168 | 174 | 180 | 186 | 192 | 198 | 204 | 210 | 216 |
66 | 173 | 179 | 186 | 192 | 198 | 204 | 210 | 216 | 223 |
67 | 178 | 185 | 191 | 198 | 204 | 211 | 217 | 223 | 230 |
68 | 184 | 190 | 197 | 203 | 210 | 216 | 223 | 230 | 236 |
69 | 189 | 196 | 203 | 209 | 216 | 223 | 230 | 236 | 243 |
70 | 195 | 202 | 209 | 216 | 222 | 229 | 236 | 243 | 250 |
71 | 200 | 208 | 215 | 222 | 229 | 236 | 243 | 250 | 257 |
72 | 206 | 213 | 221 | 228 | 235 | 242 | 250 | 258 | 265 |
73 | 212 | 219 | 227 | 235 | 242 | 250 | 257 | 265 | 272 |
74 | 218 | 225 | 233 | 241 | 249 | 256 | 264 | 272 | 280 |
75 | 224 | 232 | 240 | 248 | 256 | 264 | 272 | 279 | 287 |
76 | 230 | 238 | 246 | 254 | 263 | 271 | 279 | 287 | 295 |
BMI 37-45 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 |
Height Inches | Weight Pounds |
||||||||
58 | 177 | 181 | 186 | 191 | 196 | 201 | 205 | 210 | 215 |
59 | 183 | 188 | 193 | 198 | 203 | 208 | 212 | 217 | 222 |
60 | 189 | 194 | 199 | 204 | 209 | 215 | 220 | 225 | 230 |
61 | 195 | 201 | 206 | 211 | 217 | 222 | 227 | 232 | 238 |
62 | 202 | 207 | 213 | 218 | 224 | 229 | 235 | 240 | 246 |
63 | 208 | 214 | 220 | 225 | 231 | 237 | 242 | 248 | 254 |
64 | 215 | 221 | 227 | 232 | 238 | 244 | 250 | 256 | 262 |
65 | 222 | 228 | 234 | 240 | 246 | 252 | 258 | 264 | 270 |
66 | 229 | 235 | 241 | 247 | 253 | 260 | 266 | 272 | 278 |
67 | 236 | 242 | 249 | 255 | 261 | 268 | 274 | 280 | 287 |
68 | 243 | 249 | 256 | 262 | 269 | 276 | 282 | 289 | 295 |
69 | 250 | 257 | 263 | 270 | 277 | 284 | 291 | 297 | 304 |
70 | 257 | 264 | 271 | 278 | 285 | 292 | 299 | 306 | 313 |
71 | 265 | 272 | 279 | 286 | 293 | 301 | 308 | 315 | 322 |
72 | 272 | 279 | 287 | 294 | 302 | 309 | 316 | 324 | 331 |
73 | 280 | 288 | 295 | 302 | 310 | 318 | 325 | 333 | 340 |
74 | 287 | 295 | 303 | 311 | 319 | 326 | 334 | 342 | 350 |
75 | 295 | 303 | 311 | 319 | 327 | 335 | 343 | 351 | 359 |
76 | 304 | 312 | 320 | 328 | 336 | 344 | 353 | 361 | 369 |
BMI 46-54 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 |
Height Inches | Weight Pounds |
||||||||
58 | 220 | 224 | 229 | 234 | 239 | 244 | 248 | 253 | 258 |
59 | 227 | 232 | 237 | 242 | 247 | 252 | 257 | 262 | 267 |
60 | 235 | 240 | 245 | 250 | 255 | 261 | 266 | 271 | 276 |
61 | 243 | 248 | 254 | 259 | 264 | 269 | 275 | 280 | 285 |
62 | 251 | 256 | 262 | 267 | 273 | 278 | 284 | 289 | 295 |
63 | 259 | 265 | 270 | 278 | 282 | 287 | 293 | 299 | 304 |
64 | 267 | 273 | 279 | 285 | 291 | 296 | 302 | 308 | 314 |
65 | 276 | 282 | 288 | 294 | 300 | 306 | 312 | 318 | 324 |
66 | 284 | 291 | 297 | 303 | 309 | 315 | 322 | 328 | 334 |
67 | 293 | 299 | 306 | 312 | 319 | 325 | 331 | 338 | 344 |
68 | 302 | 308 | 315 | 322 | 328 | 335 | 341 | 348 | 354 |
69 | 311 | 318 | 324 | 331 | 338 | 345 | 351 | 358 | 365 |
70 | 320 | 327 | 334 | 341 | 348 | 355 | 362 | 369 | 376 |
71 | 329 | 338 | 343 | 351 | 358 | 365 | 372 | 379 | 386 |
72 | 338 | 346 | 353 | 361 | 368 | 375 | 383 | 390 | 397 |
73 | 348 | 355 | 363 | 371 | 378 | 386 | 393 | 401 | 408 |
74 | 358 | 365 | 373 | 381 | 389 | 396 | 404 | 412 | 420 |
75 | 367 | 375 | 383 | 391 | 399 | 407 | 415 | 423 | 431 |
76 | 377 | 385 | 394 | 402 | 410 | 418 | 426 | 435 | 443 |
BMI for Males - Percentiles by Age: U.S. 2011-2014
Men BMI (kg/m2) Percentile | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | 5th | 10th | 15th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 85th | 90th | 95th |
20+ (total) | 20.7 | 22.2 | 23.0 | 24.6 | 27.7 | 31.6 | 34.0 | 36.1 | 39.8 |
20 - 29 | 19.3 | 20.5 | 21.2 | 22.5 | 25.5 | 30.5 | 33.1 | 35.1 | 39.2 |
30 - 39 | 21.1 | 22.4 | 23.3 | 24.8 | 27.5 | 31.9 | 35.1 | 36.5 | 39.3 |
40 - 49 | 21.9 | 23.4 | 24.3 | 25.7 | 28.5 | 31.9 | 34.4 | 36.5 | 40.0 |
50 - 59 | 21.6 | 22.7 | 23.6 | 25.4 | 28.3 | 32.0 | 34.0 | 35.2 | 40.3 |
60 - 69 | 21.6 | 22.7 | 23.6 | 25.3 | 28.0 | 32.4 | 35.3 | 36.9 | 41.2 |
70 - 79 | 21.5 | 23.2 | 23.9 | 25.4 | 27.8 | 30.9 | 33.1 | 34.9 | 38.9 |
80+ | 20.0 | 21.5 | 22.5 | 24.1 | 26.3 | 29.0 | 31.1 | 32.3 | 33.8 |
BMI for Females - Percentiles by Age: U.S. 2011-2014
Women BMI (kg/m2) Percentile | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | 5th | 10th | 15th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 85th | 90th | 95th |
20+ (total) | 19.6 | 21.0 | 22.0 | 23.6 | 27.7 | 33.2 | 36.5 | 39.3 | 43.3 |
20 - 29 | 18.6 | 19.8 | 20.7 | 21.9 | 25.6 | 31.8 | 36.0 | 38.9 | 42.0 |
30 - 39 | 19.8 | 21.1 | 22.0 | 23.3 | 27.6 | 33.1 | 36.6 | 40.0 | 44.7 |
40 - 49 | 20.0 | 21.5 | 22.5 | 23.7 | 28.1 | 33.4 | 37.0 | 39.6 | 44.5 |
50 - 59 | 19.9 | 21.5 | 22.2 | 24.5 | 28.6 | 34.4 | 38.3 | 40.7 | 45.2 |
60 - 69 | 20.0 | 21.7 | 23.0 | 24.5 | 28.9 | 33.4 | 36.1 | 38.7 | 41.8 |
70 - 79 | 20.5 | 22.1 | 22.9 | 24.6 | 28.3 | 33.4 | 36.5 | 39.1 | 42.9 |
80+ | 19.3 | 20.4 | 21.3 | 23.3 | 26.1 | 29.7 | 30.9 | 32.8 | 35.2 |
English and Metric Formula for Calculating BMI
Imperial BMI Formula
Body Mass Index is calculated using pounds and inches with this equation:
BMI = (Weight in Pounds (Height in inches) x (Height in inches) ) x 703
For example, a person who weighs 220 pounds and is 6 feet 3 inches tall has a BMI of 27.5
(220 lbs. (75 inches) x (75 inches) ) x 703 = 27.5
Metric BMI Formula
BMI = Weight in Kilograms (Height in Meters) x (Height in Meters)
BMI = (Weight in Kilograms (Height in centimeters) x (Height in centimeters) ) x 10,000
For example, a person who weighs 99.79 Kilograms and is 1.905 Meters (190.50 centimeters) tall has a BMI of 27.5.
99.79 Kg (1.905 m) x (1.905 m) = 27.5
Printable version of a BMI chart for adults.
*BMI data courtesy of National Institute of Health (NIH) - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.