BMI Chart
Reference table for adult body mass index categories (WHO). Use ourBMI calculator for a personal result.
| Classification | BMI (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Severe thinness | < 16 |
| Moderate thinness | 16 – 16.9 |
| Mild thinness | 17 – 18.4 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 25 – 29.9 |
| Class 1 obesity | 30 – 34.9 |
| Class 2 obesity | 35 – 39.9 |
| Class 3 obesity | ≥ 40 |
How to read the BMI chart
Body mass index (BMI) is a single number calculated from your height and weight. Find your BMI value in the table above and read across to see which category it falls into. The World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC use these same cut-off points to screen for weight-related health risk in adults aged 20 and over. The healthy (normal) range is18.5 to 24.9 kg/m².
How BMI is calculated
Metric: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²). Example: 70 kg at 1.75 m → 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.9 (normal).
Imperial: BMI = 703 × weight (lb) ÷ height² (in²). Example: 154 lb at 69 in → 703 × 154 ÷ (69 × 69) ≈ 22.7. You don't need to do the maths — our BMI calculator does it instantly in either unit.
BMI by height and weight (quick reference)
Roughly, these are the weights that mark the upper edge of the healthy range (BMI 24.9)at common heights — go above these and you cross into "overweight":
| Height | Healthy weight range |
|---|---|
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 42.7–57.5 kg (94–127 lb) |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 49.2–66.2 kg (108–146 lb) |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 55.4–74.5 kg (122–164 lb) |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 62.0–83.4 kg (137–184 lb) |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 68.9–92.8 kg (152–204 lb) |
Does the chart differ for men, women, and children?
The adult chart above applies equally to menand women — the formula and thresholds are identical. Children and teens are different: they use age- and sex-specific BMIpercentiles, not fixed cut-offs. See ourchild BMI calculator for that.
Limitations of the BMI chart
BMI is a population-level screening tool, not a diagnosis. It cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes may read as "overweight" despite low body fat. It also doesn't account for fat distribution, age, or ethnicity. Some clinical guidance uses additional or lower action points for certain populations, so local guidance can matter. Pair BMI with other health information and a professional. Learn more in our guide onBMI vs body fat percentage.
Evidence
Sources and research
These sources support the article's general claims. Population studies describe associations and do not predict an individual person's health.
- Obesity and overweight
World Health Organization · WHO fact sheet · 2025
Defines the international adult BMI cut-offs for overweight and obesity.
View source (opens in a new tab) - BMI Frequently Asked Questions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · CDC BMI guidance · 2024
Explains that BMI is a screening measure and must be interpreted with other health information.
View source (opens in a new tab) - Body-mass index and all-cause mortality: individual-participant-data meta-analysis of 239 prospective studies in four continents
Global BMI Mortality Collaboration · The Lancet · 2016
Large pooled analysis of BMI and mortality; useful for population-level context, not individual diagnosis.
View source — PMID 27423262 · DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30175-1 (opens in a new tab) - Accuracy of body mass index in diagnosing obesity in the adult general population
Romero-Corral A, et al. · International Journal of Obesity · 2008
Compared BMI categories with estimated body-fat percentage in 13,601 adults and documented important limitations.
View source — PMID 18283284 · DOI 10.1038/ijo.2008.11 (opens in a new tab)
Find your exact number
Enter your height and weight for an instant personal result — metric or US units.
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