Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) instantly with our free online BMI calculator. Suitable for both males and females. Understand your healthy weight range and get personalized insights.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women. It's a widely used tool to estimate whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height.
For adult men, a healthy BMI range is typically considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9. However, it's important to note that BMI is not a perfect measure and doesn't account for factors like muscle mass.
For adult women, the healthy BMI range is the same as for men: between 18.5 and 24.9. However, women naturally tend to have more body fat than men, which BMI doesn't account for.
The BMI calculation for males is the same as for females: BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))². Our calculator above does this automatically for you, considering your gender for interpretation.
The BMI formula for females is identical to males: BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))². The interpretation may differ slightly due to natural differences in body composition between males and females.
While "looking best" is subjective and varies by individual, many consider a BMI between 20 and 25 to be aesthetically pleasing for men. However, health should always be prioritized over appearance.
As with men, appearance is subjective. Many consider a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 to be aesthetically pleasing for women. Remember, health and well-being should be the primary focus, not appearance.
The BMI formula is: BMI = weight (kg) / (height (m))². For example, if you weigh 70 kg and are 1.75 m tall, your BMI would be 70 / (1.75 * 1.75) = 22.86.
While BMI is a useful screening tool, it's not perfect. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, nor does it account for factors like age, gender, or body composition. It's best used as a general guide alongside other health indicators.
BMI ranges are generally the same for adults regardless of age. However, for children and teens, BMI is interpreted differently and is age- and sex-specific. For adults over 65, some experts suggest a slightly higher BMI range may be beneficial.
While the BMI calculation doesn't change with age, body composition naturally changes as we get older. Muscle mass tends to decrease and body fat percentage often increases with age, which can affect BMI interpretation for older adults.
While BMI is a useful tool, it has limitations. It doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or ethnic differences. Athletes or muscular individuals may have a high BMI despite having a healthy body fat percentage.
In addition to BMI, consider other health indicators such as waist circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall lifestyle factors for a comprehensive view of your health.