BMI calculator
Work out your body mass index from weight and height, with the lower WHO Asia-Pacific cut-offs that better fit South Asian bodies.
Enter weight in kilograms or pounds and height in centimetres or feet and inches. You get your BMI, both the Asian and standard WHO categories, and the healthy-weight range for your height — all computed in your browser.
Your measurements
Your current body weight.
Standing height without shoes.
Body mass index
23.5
kg/m² · WHO Asia-Pacific cut-offs
Category (Asian)
Overweight
WHO standard
Normal
Healthy from
53.5 kg
Healthy to
66.2 kg
Height
1.70 m
| WHO Asia-Pacific category | BMI (kg/m²) |
|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight (at risk) | 23.0 – 24.9 |
| Obese I | 25.0 – 29.9 |
| Obese II | 30.0 and above |
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². For people of South Asian and other Asian ancestry, the WHO recommends lower cut-offs (overweight at 23, obese at 25) because metabolic risk rises at a lower BMI than the international bands. BMI does not distinguish muscle from fat and is only a screening tool — it does not diagnose health. The healthy-weight range above uses the Asia-Pacific normal band (18.5–22.9). Consult a clinician for personal advice.
From weight and height to a risk band
BMI compares your weight to your height; the Asia-Pacific thresholds then place that number into a category tuned for South Asian populations.
Normalise units
Pounds are converted to kilograms and feet-and-inches to metres, so any combination of inputs gives the same BMI.
Compute BMI
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². A 1.70 m, 68 kg adult is 68 ÷ 1.70² ≈ 23.5 kg/m².
Apply Asian cut-offs
WHO Asia-Pacific bands flag overweight at 23 and obesity at 25 — lower than the standard 25 and 30 — reflecting higher metabolic risk.
BMI, answered
How is BMI calculated?+
Body mass index is your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres: BMI = kg ÷ m². For example, a person who is 68 kg and 1.70 m has a BMI of 68 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) ≈ 23.5. If you enter weight in pounds or height in feet and inches, this calculator converts them to kg and metres first.
Why does Nepal use Asian BMI cut-offs?+
The WHO Asia-Pacific guidance recommends lower BMI thresholds for South Asian and other Asian populations because cardiometabolic risk — type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease — rises at a lower BMI than in European populations. Overweight begins at 23 (instead of 25) and obesity at 25 (instead of 30). This calculator shows both the Asian and the standard WHO categories.
What is a healthy BMI for Nepalis?+
Using the WHO Asia-Pacific cut-offs, a BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 is considered the healthy (normal) range. The calculator translates that band into a healthy-weight range in kilograms for your specific height, so you can see the target instead of just a number.
What are the Asian BMI categories?+
WHO Asia-Pacific bands (kg/m²): underweight below 18.5; normal 18.5–22.9; overweight (increased risk) 23–24.9; obese I 25–29.9; obese II 30 and above. The standard international WHO bands are underweight <18.5, normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9 and obese ≥30.
Is BMI an accurate measure of health?+
BMI is a quick screening tool, not a diagnosis. It does not separate muscle from fat or account for body-frame, age, pregnancy or where fat is stored — so a very muscular person can read high while still being healthy. Waist circumference and a clinician's assessment give a fuller picture. Treat your BMI as a starting point, not a verdict.
Does BMI work the same for children and older adults?+
No. For children and teenagers, BMI is interpreted against age- and sex-specific percentile charts rather than these fixed adult cut-offs. Older adults and pregnant women also need different interpretation. This calculator is intended for non-pregnant adults; see a health professional for other groups.
Sources & data note
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Category thresholds follow the WHO Asia-Pacific cut-offs (overweight ≥23, obese ≥25), alongside the standard international WHO bands. These are screening categories, not a medical diagnosis, and are indicative for non-pregnant adults only — confirm the current guidance and seek a clinician's advice for personal decisions.