What it calculates

This tool divides your weight by your height squared and reads the result against the Asian-Indian cut-offs. Overweight starts at 23 and obesity at 25 for Indians. BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.

Enter your weight and height. Results appear below.

Weight (kg) Height (cm)

BMI categories for Asian Indians
BMI (kg/m²)	Category
Below 18.5	Underweight
18.5 to 22.9	Normal
23 to 24.9	Overweight
25 or above	Obesity

BMI is a screening measure, not a diagnosis.

What your result means

Body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to compare your weight with your height. Indians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the belly, at a lower BMI than people of European origin. For this reason Indian consensus guidance uses lower cut-offs: a BMI of 23 to 24.9 is called overweight and 25 or above is called obesity.

Read the full explanation in BMI for Indians and the Asian cut-offs, and the basics in what is obesity.

Limits of this number

BMI does not measure fat directly. A very muscular person can have a high BMI without extra fat, and an older person can have a “normal” BMI with low muscle and more fat. It also says nothing about where the fat sits. Waist size often tells you more about health risk, so consider the waist-to-height ratio tool as well.

The cut-offs apply to adults. They do not apply to children and teenagers, who are assessed on growth charts, or to pregnant women.

When to talk to a doctor

Speak to a doctor if your BMI is in the overweight or obesity range and you also have a large waist, high blood sugar, high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes or heart disease. Also speak to one if your BMI is low and you are losing weight without trying. A doctor looks at your whole picture, not just one number.

How this tool works

Formula: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Categories: below 18.5 underweight; 18.5 to 22.9 normal; 23 to 24.9 overweight; 25 or above obesity.
Source: Misra A et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians. J Assoc Physicians India 2009
Version: 1.0.0

This tool does not replace a consultation. Results are general information; your doctor interprets them with your history and examination.

When to see an endocrinologist

You are pregnant, or you are under 18 years old
Your weight has changed a lot without trying, or you have new swelling or breathlessness

Chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or confusion: call 108 or 112, or go to the nearest emergency department.

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BMI calculator for Indians