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Overweight Calculator

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Use this free overweight calculator to find out where your weight falls on the BMI scale. Enter your height and weight, and the tool instantly estimates your body mass index for adults. A BMI of 25 or above generally signals overweight, while 30 and above falls into the obese range.

BMI is not a diagnosis. It is a screening estimate based on height and weight. Your result can help you decide whether to explore next steps with a health care provider.

Calculate Your BMI With This Body Mass Index Calculator

The calculator above asks for two inputs:

  • Height in feet/inches or centimeters
  • Weight in pounds or kilograms (kg)

After you submit those numbers, the tool returns your BMI value, the weight category it falls into, and the healthy weight range for your height. Results apply to adult men and women age 20 and older. If you need a BMI calculator for children and adolescents, see the section below on percentile charts.

What Is Body Mass Index and How Does BMI Measure Overweight

Body mass index is a number calculated from your height and weight. It provides a quick estimate of whether your body weight is proportionate to your height.

BMI does not measure body fat directly. Instead, it correlates reasonably well with more precise body fat measurements for most adults, which is why public health organizations like the CDC and NHLBI use it as a first-pass screening tool. A higher BMI generally means a higher amount of body fat, though there are important exceptions covered later on this page.

What does it mean to be overweight or obese? Overweight means your BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9. Obesity means your BMI is 30.0 or higher. Both categories suggest excess weight that may increase the risk of certain health conditions.

Adult BMI Chart: Underweight, Healthy Weight, Overweight, and Obese Ranges

The standard adult BMI chart groups results into four main categories:

BMI RangeCategory
Below 18.5Underweight
18.5 to 24.9Healthy weight
25.0 to 29.9Overweight
30.0 and aboveObese

These ranges apply broadly to adult men and women. They do not account for age, sex, muscle mass, or ethnicity differences, so treat them as a starting point rather than a final verdict.

BMI Between 18.5 and 24.9: Healthy Weight Range

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered the healthy weight range for most adults. It is associated with lower statistical risk for weight-related chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Being in this range does not guarantee good health. Nutrition, physical activity, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other factors matter too. Still, maintaining a BMI in this zone is one useful benchmark.

BMI 25 and Above: Overweight and Obesity Categories

A BMI of 25 to 29.9 places you in the overweight category. A BMI of 30 or higher places you in the obese category, which is further divided:

  • Class 1 obesity: BMI 30.0 to 34.9
  • Class 2 obesity: BMI 35.0 to 39.9
  • Class 3 obesity (severe): BMI 40.0 and above

Higher BMI values are linked to progressively greater risk for conditions discussed in the health risks section below. If your result falls into any of these categories, it is worth reviewing your overall health picture with a healthcare provider.

How to Calculate BMI Using Height and Weight in KG or Pounds

You can calculate BMI by hand if you prefer. The math works the same for men and women.

BMI Formula for Men and Women

Metric formula:

BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in meters × height in meters)

For example, a person who weighs 80 kg and stands 1.75 m tall: 80 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) = 80 ÷ 3.0625 = 26.1.

Imperial formula (pounds and inches):

BMI = (weight in pounds ÷ (height in inches × height in inches)) × 703

For example, 180 lbs and 70 inches tall: (180 ÷ 4900) × 703 = 25.8.

Both formulas produce the same BMI value. The calculator on this page handles the conversion automatically, so you can enter your height and weight in whichever unit you prefer.

Why BMI May Not Reflect Body Fat for Every Adult

BMI is a useful screening tool, but it has well-known blind spots. It estimates body weight relative to height. It cannot distinguish between fat, muscle, bone, and water.

Skeletal Muscle, Age, and Body Fat Percentage Limitations

Several groups may get misleading BMI results:

  • Athletes and muscular adults. Skeletal muscle weighs more than fat by volume. A person with high muscle mass can have a high BMI while carrying a low body fat percentage. This is common among weightlifters and competitive athletes.
  • Older adults. People tend to lose muscle mass and gain fat as they age. An older adult might have a "healthy" BMI yet carry a higher proportion of body fat than the number suggests.
  • Body composition differences by sex. Women generally carry a higher body fat percentage than men at the same BMI.

If you suspect your BMI does not reflect your actual body composition, tools like waist circumference measurement, skinfold tests, or DEXA scans can provide a more detailed picture. Talk to a healthcare provider about which assessment makes sense for you.

Health Risks Linked to Overweight and Obesity

Carrying excess weight raises the statistical risk for a range of chronic conditions. Risk increases as BMI moves further above the healthy weight range.

Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Hypertension

  • Heart disease. Excess weight strains the cardiovascular system and is associated with higher cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension).
  • Type 2 diabetes. A higher BMI is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Even modest weight loss can improve blood sugar control.
  • High blood pressure. Extra body weight forces the heart to pump harder, which can elevate blood pressure over time.
  • High blood cholesterol. Overweight and obesity are linked to elevated LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol.

Cancer and Other Chronic Conditions

Research from the CDC and other organizations links excess weight to increased risk for several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and kidney cancer. Other conditions associated with overweight and obesity include:

  • Sleep apnea
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Stroke

These are statistical associations, not certainties. Many people with a high BMI never develop these conditions, and many people with a normal BMI do. BMI is one piece of a larger health picture.

How to Lose Weight and Reach a Healthy Weight

If your BMI result places you in the overweight or obese range and you want to move toward a healthy weight, the general approach is straightforward: create a modest calorie deficit through better nutrition and more movement.

How many calories do you need to maintain your current weight? That depends on your age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. A rough starting point for many adults is 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day. Reducing intake by 500 calories per day typically leads to about 1 pound of weight loss per week.

Physical Activity, Exercise, and Lifestyle Changes

  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Walking counts.
  • Add strength training two or more days a week. Building muscle mass supports a healthier body composition and boosts resting metabolism.
  • Small behavior changes add up. Take stairs, stand during calls, walk after meals.
  • Sleep and stress management matter. Poor sleep and chronic stress both promote weight gain.

Dieting, Weight Loss, and When to Talk to a Health Care Provider

  • Focus on a nutritious diet built around whole foods rather than extreme restriction. Crash diets rarely lead to lasting results.
  • Track portions if it helps you stay aware of intake, but do not obsess over every calorie.
  • Talk to a health care provider before starting any weight loss plan if you have existing medical conditions, take medications that affect weight, or have a BMI of 30 or higher. They can assess whether additional interventions (medication, behavioral counseling, or surgery) are appropriate.

Weight loss is not required for everyone whose BMI falls above 24.9. Your provider can help you weigh the risks and benefits based on your complete health profile.

BMI Calculator for Children and Adolescents: Percentile Charts

The standard adult BMI categories do not apply to children and teens. For people under 20, BMI is plotted on age-and-sex-specific percentile charts developed by the CDC.

  • Underweight: Below the 5th percentile
  • Healthy weight: 5th to 84th percentile
  • Overweight: 85th to 94th percentile
  • Obese: 95th percentile and above

Children's body fat levels change as they grow, which is why percentile rankings are used instead of fixed cutoff numbers. If you need a BMI assessment for a child or adolescent, consult their pediatrician or use a dedicated CDC pediatric BMI percentile calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Adult BMI Calculator

What is BMI? BMI stands for body mass index. It is a number based on your height and weight that estimates whether your body weight is in a healthy range. It is not a direct measure of body fat.

Does this calculator work for both men and women? Yes. The BMI formula is the same for adult men and women. However, body fat percentage at any given BMI tends to be higher in women than in men.

Can I enter my height and weight in metric units? Yes. The calculator accepts both imperial (pounds, feet/inches) and metric (kg, centimeters) inputs.

Is BMI accurate for athletes or very muscular people? Not always. BMI cannot distinguish between muscle mass and fat. A muscular person can have a high BMI with a low body fat percentage. Waist circumference or body composition tests are better options in that case.

What BMI is considered overweight? A BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 falls in the overweight category for adults.

What BMI is considered obese? A BMI of 30.0 or higher is classified as obese. Obesity is further divided into Class 1 (30 to 34.9), Class 2 (35 to 39.9), and Class 3 (40 and above).

Should I see a doctor about my BMI result? This calculator provides an estimate, not medical advice. If your result is outside the healthy weight range, or if you have concerns about your weight and health, talk to a healthcare provider for a personalized assessment.

Does BMI apply to children? No, not with the same cutoffs. Children and adolescents use age-and-sex-specific percentile charts. See the section above on BMI for children and teens.