Health

BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index and understand your weight category with metric or imperial units.

Quick Answer:A healthy BMI range is 18.5–24.9. In 2026, the average BMI in the United States is approximately 26.5 for women and 26.6 for men, placing the average American in the overweight category. For a person 5'9" (175 cm) tall, a healthy weight range is 125–168 lbs (57–76 kg).

Your Measurements

Your BMI

Calculating... body mass index

Category

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Healthy Weight Range

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Weight to Healthy BMI

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Risk Level

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Visual Comparison

Underweight (<18.5)18.5
Normal (18.5–24.9)24.9
Overweight (25–29.9)29.9
Obese (30+)40+

Your BMI position on the scale (0–40+)

Expert Insight 2026 Pro Tip

Health perspective for 2026: While BMI remains the most widely used screening tool, medical professionals increasingly recommend using it alongside waist circumference (high risk: >40" for men, >35" for women) and body fat percentage for a more complete picture. BMI may overestimate body fat in muscular athletes and underestimate it in older adults with sarcopenia. New in 2026: The American Medical Association recommends considering BMI as one of several clinical factors, not a sole diagnostic measure, when assessing metabolic health.

BMI Calculator Guide & FAQ

How is BMI calculated and what do the numbers mean?

BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². For imperial: BMI = (weight in lbs × 703) / (height in inches)². Categories: Underweight <18.5, Normal 18.5-24.9, Overweight 25-29.9, Obese Class I 30-34.9, Obese Class II 35-39.9, Obese Class III 40+. Example: 70 kg, 175 cm = 70/(1.75)² = 22.86 (Normal). BMI was developed by Adolphe Quetelet in the 1830s and adopted by the WHO as a population-level screening tool. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat — a 200 lb bodybuilder at 6' tall has BMI 27.1 (overweight) despite being lean. For most people, it remains a useful quick screening tool. The normal BMI range corresponds to the lowest statistical risk for weight-related diseases.

What are the health risks associated with high BMI?

Overweight and obese BMI categories are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (2-4x higher risk at BMI 30+), cardiovascular disease, hypertension, certain cancers (colorectal, breast, endometrial), sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and fatty liver disease. A BMI increase of 5 units above normal is associated with 30% higher all-cause mortality. However, the "obesity paradox" shows slightly overweight individuals (BMI 25-27) may have similar or slightly better survival rates than normal weight in some studies, particularly in older adults. In 2026, research increasingly focuses on metabolic health rather than weight alone — someone with normal BMI but poor metabolic markers (high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL) may face higher risks than a metabolically healthy person with higher BMI.

What is a healthy weight for my height in 2026?

Using BMI 18.5-24.9 as the healthy range: 5'0" (152 cm): 95-128 lbs (43-58 kg). 5'4" (163 cm): 108-145 lbs (49-66 kg). 5'8" (173 cm): 122-164 lbs (55-74 kg). 6'0" (183 cm): 137-184 lbs (62-84 kg). 6'4" (193 cm): 152-204 lbs (69-93 kg). These ranges are broad because healthy weight depends on muscle mass, bone density, body composition, age, and sex. In 2026, health guidelines emphasize sustainable weight management through balanced nutrition (Mediterranean or DASH diet patterns show strong evidence), regular physical activity (150+ minutes moderate or 75+ minutes vigorous per week), adequate sleep (7-9 hours), and stress management. Crash diets and rapid weight loss are discouraged — aim for 0.5-1 lb per week if weight loss is medically advised.

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