BMI Chart – Body Mass Index Table
Find your BMI instantly using the chart below. Locate your height on the left column, then move across to your weight. The number at the intersection is your BMI, and the color shows your WHO classification.
Want Your Exact BMI?
The chart below gives a quick visual lookup. For a precise calculation with decimal accuracy, use our free BMI calculator—just enter your height and weight.
How to Read a BMI Chart
A BMI chart is a grid that cross-references height and weight to produce a Body Mass Index value at each intersection. The left column lists heights (in feet and inches for the imperial chart, or centimeters for the metric chart), and the top row lists weights (in pounds or kilograms). To find your BMI, locate your height row, then scan across to the column that matches your weight. The number in that cell is your BMI.
Each cell is color-coded according to the World Health Organization's classification system. Blue cells indicate underweight (BMI below 18.5), green cells indicate normal weight (18.5–24.9), yellow cells indicate overweight (25–29.9), and red cells in progressively deeper shades indicate Obese Class I (30–34.9), Class II (35–39.9), and Class III (40 and above). This color scheme lets you assess your category at a glance without needing to memorize threshold numbers.
If your weight falls between two columns, your actual BMI will be between the two displayed values. For a precise figure, use the BMI formula directly: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Or simply use our BMI calculator for an exact result.
Understanding BMI Categories
The World Health Organization divides BMI into six categories, each associated with different health risk profiles. Understanding what each range means can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare provider.
Underweight: BMI Below 18.5
A BMI under 18.5 may signal insufficient caloric intake, malabsorption conditions, or an eating disorder. Underweight individuals face elevated risks of osteoporosis, weakened immune function, fertility problems, and anemia. For adults who have always been naturally lean, a BMI of 17.5–18.4 may be normal, but values below 17 warrant medical evaluation. Treatment typically involves a nutrient-dense dietary plan, sometimes supplemented with resistance training to build lean mass.
Normal Weight: BMI 18.5–24.9
This range is associated with the lowest statistical risk of weight-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. A person who is 5'7" falls in the normal range at weights between approximately 118 and 159 pounds. Maintaining a normal BMI through balanced nutrition, regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week), adequate sleep, and stress management provides the strongest foundation for long-term health.
Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
Roughly 30% of American adults fall into this category. Being overweight modestly increases the risk of hypertension, elevated cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. However, health outcomes in this range depend heavily on other factors such as fitness level, waist circumference, and metabolic markers. A physically active person with a BMI of 26 and normal blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol may face lower health risks than a sedentary person with a BMI of 23. Lifestyle modifications—particularly increasing physical activity and reducing processed food intake—are the first-line approach.
Obese Class I: BMI 30–34.9
Class I obesity carries a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and joint problems. For a 5'7" individual, this range starts at approximately 192 pounds. Dietary intervention combined with structured exercise programs can produce meaningful weight reduction. In some cases, physicians may recommend medication to support weight loss efforts.
Obese Class II: BMI 35–39.9
At this level, the risk of serious health complications rises substantially. Individuals in this range are more likely to develop heart failure, severe sleep apnea, and mobility-limiting osteoarthritis. Medical supervision is strongly recommended, and pharmacological or surgical interventions may be appropriate depending on the individual's overall health profile and comorbidities.
Obese Class III (Severe): BMI 40+
Sometimes referred to as severe or morbid obesity, Class III carries the highest risk of life-threatening conditions, including a two- to threefold increase in mortality risk compared to normal weight. Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) has demonstrated sustained long-term weight loss and resolution of comorbidities such as diabetes in 60%–80% of patients. Comprehensive treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary team including physicians, dietitians, and mental health professionals.
BMI Limitations and Alternatives
BMI is a useful population-level screening tool, but it has well-documented limitations at the individual level that are important to understand.
Muscle mass: BMI cannot distinguish between fat and lean tissue. A 5'10" bodybuilder weighing 210 pounds has a BMI of 30.1—technically obese—despite potentially carrying only 10% body fat. This misclassification affects athletes, manual laborers, and anyone with above-average muscle development.
Age: Older adults tend to lose muscle and gain fat without significant weight changes. A 70-year-old with a "normal" BMI of 24 may carry a much higher body fat percentage than a 30-year-old at the same BMI, making their health risk profile quite different.
Ethnicity: Research has shown that health risks associated with a given BMI vary across ethnic groups. Asian populations tend to develop metabolic complications at lower BMI thresholds (23–24), while some Pacific Islander and Black populations may not see elevated risk until higher BMI values. The WHO has suggested lower BMI cutoffs for Asian populations as a result.
Better alternatives exist for individual health assessment. Waist circumference measures abdominal fat directly; values above 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women indicate elevated metabolic risk regardless of BMI. Body fat percentage, measured through DEXA scans, bioelectrical impedance, or skinfold calipers, provides a direct assessment of fat versus lean mass. The waist-to-hip ratio captures fat distribution patterns linked to cardiovascular risk. For the most complete picture, combine BMI with at least one of these additional measurements and discuss the results with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy BMI for adults?
The World Health Organization defines a healthy BMI as 18.5 to 24.9 for adults aged 20 and older. Within this range, the statistical risk of weight-related chronic diseases—including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers—is at its lowest. However, a "healthy" BMI alone does not guarantee good health. Fitness level, diet quality, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol all contribute to your overall health profile. A normal BMI combined with regular exercise and balanced nutrition provides the strongest foundation.
Is BMI accurate for athletes and muscular people?
No. BMI frequently overestimates body fat in muscular individuals because it treats all weight the same, whether it comes from muscle, bone, or fat. A professional football player, for example, may carry a BMI of 32 while having a body fat percentage of only 12%. If you exercise regularly with resistance training, your BMI may place you in the overweight or obese category even though your body composition is healthy. In these cases, body fat percentage or waist circumference provides a more accurate assessment of health risk.
Does BMI apply to children and teenagers?
Standard BMI categories do not apply to anyone under age 20. For children and adolescents, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific growth charts published by the CDC. A child's BMI is expressed as a percentile relative to other children of the same age and sex. For example, a BMI at the 85th percentile means the child has a higher BMI than 85% of peers. Underweight is below the 5th percentile, healthy weight is the 5th to 84th, overweight is the 85th to 94th, and obese is the 95th percentile and above. This chart is designed for adults only.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters: BMI = kg / m². For imperial measurements, the formula is: BMI = (weight in pounds × 703) / (height in inches)². For example, a person who weighs 160 pounds and stands 5'7" (67 inches) has a BMI of (160 × 703) / (67 × 67) = 25.1. The calculation is the same for men and women. While you can compute this by hand, our BMI calculator handles the math instantly and shows your exact category placement.
Go Beyond BMI
BMI is a starting point. For a more complete picture of your body composition and health goals, try these tools.
BMI categories based on World Health Organization (WHO) classification standards. BMI formula: weight (kg) / height (m)2. This chart is intended for informational purposes for adults aged 20 and older. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.