How it works
Body mass index (BMI) is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres. It is a quick screening number, not a diagnosis.
For South Asians, Indian consensus guidelines and the WHO Asia-Pacific expert group recommend lower cut-offs than the global ones: 18.5–22.9 is healthy, 23–24.9 is overweight and 25 or more is obesity. That is because people of Indian origin tend to carry more fat around the abdomen and develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease at lower body weights.
BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so pair it with a waist measurement. A waist over 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women signals extra risk even when BMI looks fine.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
For adults of Indian origin, a BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 is considered healthy. Overweight starts at 23 and obesity at 25, which is lower than the global cut-offs of 25 and 30.
Is BMI accurate for athletes?
No. Muscle is denser than fat, so muscular people can have a high BMI without excess body fat. Waist-to-height ratio or a body-fat test gives a better picture.
Does BMI work for children?
Children need age- and sex-specific BMI percentile charts. This calculator is for adults aged 18 and over.