BMI Intelligence Terminal

BMI Calculator: Precision Health & Body Mass Intelligence
Result
21.6
Normal

BMI Prime: 0.86

Ponderal Index: 12.0 kg/m³

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator can be used to calculate BMI value and corresponding weight status while taking age into consideration. Use the “Metric Units” tab for the International System of Units or the “Other Units” tab to convert units into either US or metric units. Note that the calculator also computes the Ponderal Index in addition to BMI, both of which are discussed below in detail.

BMI Introduction

BMI is a measurement of a person’s leanness or corpulence based on their height and weight, and is intended to quantify tissue mass. It is widely used as a general indicator of whether a person has a healthy body weight for their height.

BMI Table for Adults

This is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended body weight based on BMI values for adults. It is used for both men and women, age 20 or older.

ClassificationBMI range – kg/m²
Severe Thinness< 16
Moderate Thinness16 – 17
Mild Thinness17 – 18.5
Normal18.5 – 25
Overweight25 – 30
Obese Class I30 – 35
Obese Class II35 – 40
Obese Class III> 40

BMI Table for Children and Teens, age 2-20

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends BMI categorization for children and teens between age 2 and 20.

CategoryPercentile Range
Underweight< 5%
Healthy weight5% – 85%
At risk of overweight85% – 95%
Overweight> 95%

Risks Associated with Being Overweight

  • High blood pressure and Type II diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease and Stroke
  • Sleep apnea and breathing problems
  • Mental illnesses such as clinical depression and anxiety
  • Increased risk of mortality

Risks Associated with Being Underweight

  • Malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, anemia
  • Osteoporosis and bone weakness
  • Decrease in immune function
  • Growth and development issues in children

Limitations of BMI

BMI is only an estimate that cannot take body composition into account. In athletes, particularly bodybuilders who would be considered overweight due to muscle being heavier than fat, it is entirely possible that they are actually at a healthy weight.

Technical Formulas

Metric Units: BMI = mass (kg) / height² (m)
Metric Units: [weight (kg)/height (cm)/height (cm)] x 10,000
U.S. Customary Units: weight (pounds)/[height (in)]² x 703

BMI Prime

BMI prime is the ratio of a person’s measured BMI to the upper limit of BMI that is considered “normal,” which is 25 kg/m².

Ponderal Index

PI = mass (kg) / height³ (m)

Frequently Asked Questions

BMI is a calculated measure of body weight relative to height. CDC offers calculators to help you calculate BMI. For children and teens 2 through 19, use CDC’s BMI Calculator for Child and Teen. For adults 20 and older, use CDC’s Adult BMI Calculator. To calculate BMI by hand, use the formulas provided in our technical formulas section above.
To interpret BMI values for adults 20 and older, use standard BMI categories regardless of age, sex, or race. For example, an adult who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds has a BMI of 30.4. This BMI falls into the obesity category, defined as a BMI of 30.0 or higher.
BMI is a quick, inexpensive, and reliable screening measure to assess a person’s weight relative to their height. Having a BMI outside the healthy weight range can increase a person’s risk for certain health problems. However, BMI is just one measure of health and should be considered with other factors like physical exams and health behaviors.
For adults 20 or older, the obesity category is defined as a BMI of 30.0 or higher. For children and teens 2 through 19 years, the obesity category is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for sex and age. Talk to your health care provider about your results.
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