Free calculator
BMI calculator: what your number means
Body mass index compares your weight with your height. It is the quickest way to screen for weight-related health risk, and one of the first numbers a doctor looks at. Health risks start at a lower BMI in South Asian adults, so this calculator uses the Asia-Pacific cut-offs. It is a screening number, not a diagnosis.
Your results
Enter your age, height and weight to see your BMI and the healthy weight range for your height.
BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, and is the same for women and men aged 18 and over. Categories use the Asia-Pacific cut-offs (WHO, 2000). BMI does not tell fat from muscle, so it is less accurate for athletes and older adults, and it does not apply during pregnancy. This is not medical advice.
What the numbers mean
| Category | Asia-Pacific | WHO global |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Healthy weight | 18.5–22.9 | 18.5–24.9 |
| Overweight | 23.0–24.9 | 25.0–29.9 |
| Obese | 25 and above | 30 and above |
South Asian adults tend to carry more fat around the waist and organs at the same BMI, so risks such as type-2 diabetes rise sooner. That is why the Asia-Pacific cut-offs are lower. Waist size and blood tests tell a doctor more than BMI alone.
Numbers are a start. A doctor turns them into a plan.
A Novity doctor looks at these numbers alongside your blood tests and health history, then builds a plan with nutrition, strength and coaching, and medicine only if it is right for you.
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