Your BMI—
Category (Indian / Asian standards)—
Category (WHO global standards)—
Healthy weight range for your height—
To reach the healthy range—
⚖️ BMI Calculator
Check your Body Mass Index with Indian (Asian) cutoffs — the standards Indian doctors actually use. Get your category, healthy weight range, and how much you need to gain or lose.
About This BMI Calculator — Built for Indian Standards
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple screening number that compares your weight with your height. Most BMI calculators on the internet use the global WHO cutoffs, where "normal" goes up to 24.9. This calculator is different: it uses the Indian / Asian cutoffs recommended for South Asian bodies, under which the healthy range ends at 22.9, overweight starts at 23, and obesity starts at 25. If you have ever been told by an Indian doctor that your weight is high even though an online calculator said "normal", this difference is exactly why.
BMI Formula — With a Worked Example
The formula is the same everywhere:
BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m) × Height (m)
Example: You weigh 70 kg and your height is 170 cm (1.70 m). BMI = 70 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2. By Indian standards, 24.2 is Overweight (23–24.9). By global WHO standards it would still be labelled Normal, because their overweight range only begins at 25. The healthy weight for 170 cm in India is roughly 53.5 kg to 66.2 kg — so this person should aim to lose about 4 kg.
Why India Uses Lower BMI Cutoffs
Studies across South Asia, reflected in the WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines and guidance from Indian medical bodies such as the ICMR, show that Indians tend to carry a higher percentage of body fat — particularly visceral fat around the abdomen — at the same BMI as Europeans. As a result, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease appear at noticeably lower BMI levels in India. To catch risk earlier, India and several Asian countries lowered the action points:
| Category | Indian / Asian Cutoffs | WHO Global Cutoffs |
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Normal (healthy) | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 23 – 24.9 | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obese | 25 and above | 30 and above |
The gap matters most for people in the 23–25 band: globally "fine", but in India already in the zone where doctors recommend weight control and screening for diabetes and cholesterol.
Healthy Weight Range by Height (Indian Standards)
Your healthy weight depends on your height. The table below uses the Indian normal range of BMI 18.5–22.9:
| Height | Healthy Weight Range |
| 150 cm (4'11") | 41.6 – 51.5 kg |
| 155 cm (5'1") | 44.4 – 55.0 kg |
| 160 cm (5'3") | 47.4 – 58.6 kg |
| 165 cm (5'5") | 50.4 – 62.3 kg |
| 170 cm (5'7") | 53.5 – 66.2 kg |
| 175 cm (5'9") | 56.7 – 70.1 kg |
| 180 cm (5'11") | 59.9 – 74.2 kg |
| 185 cm (6'1") | 63.3 – 78.4 kg |
Limitations of BMI — Please Read
- Muscle vs fat: BMI cannot tell muscle from fat. Athletes, bodybuilders and people who do heavy physical labour may get a high BMI while being fit and healthy.
- Pregnancy: BMI categories do not apply during pregnancy. Weight-gain guidance in pregnancy is specific — follow your doctor's advice.
- Children & teens: Under-18s need BMI-for-age percentile charts, not adult cutoffs. This calculator applies adult standards.
- Older adults: With age, muscle mass falls; a "normal" BMI can hide low muscle and high fat (sarcopenia).
- It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Combine it with waist circumference (risk rises above ~90 cm for Indian men and ~80 cm for Indian women) and regular health check-ups.
This tool runs entirely in your browser — your height, weight and age are never sent anywhere.
How to Use ⚖️ BMI Calculator
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Step 1: Choose Your Height Unit
Select centimetres, or feet & inches if you know your height that way.
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Step 2: Enter Height and Weight
Type your height and your weight in kilograms. Age is optional — it only adds a note for under-18 users.
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Step 3: Click Calculate BMI
Your BMI is computed instantly in your browser.
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Step 4: Read Both Categories
Compare your category under Indian (Asian) standards with the WHO global category shown below it.
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Step 5: Check Your Target
See the healthy weight range for your height and exactly how many kilos to gain or lose to reach it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?
For Indian adults, a healthy BMI is 18.5 to 22.9. This is lower than the global WHO range (18.5 to 24.9) because Indians develop diabetes and heart risk at lower body weights. A BMI of 23 to 24.9 is considered overweight in India, and 25 or above is obese.
Why are Indian BMI cutoffs lower than the WHO cutoffs?
Research summarised by the WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines and Indian bodies like the ICMR shows that South Asians carry more body fat — especially around the abdomen — and develop type 2 diabetes and metabolic problems at a lower BMI than Europeans. So India and other Asian countries use lower action points: overweight starts at 23 instead of 25, and obesity at 25 instead of 30.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI = weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. For example, a person who weighs 70 kg and is 170 cm tall (1.70 m) has a BMI of 70 / (1.70 × 1.70) = 24.2. By Indian standards that is overweight, even though global WHO cutoffs would still call it normal.
What is the BMI for 170 cm height and 70 kg weight?
The BMI is 24.2. Under Indian (Asian) cutoffs, 24.2 falls in the overweight range (23–24.9), so this person would benefit from losing roughly 4 kg to reach the healthy range of about 53.5–66.2 kg for 170 cm. Under global WHO cutoffs, 24.2 is still counted as normal because their overweight range starts at 25.
Is BMI accurate for athletes and muscular people?
Not fully. BMI cannot distinguish muscle from fat, so a muscular athlete or bodybuilder may show a high BMI while being perfectly healthy, and an elderly person with low muscle may show a 'normal' BMI despite high body fat. Use BMI as a screening indicator along with waist circumference and, if needed, a body-fat assessment.
Can I use this BMI calculator for children?
Adult cutoffs do not apply to children and teenagers. For anyone under 18, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentile charts (BMI-for-age), because body composition changes as children grow. Please consult a paediatrician for a child's healthy weight assessment.
How much weight should I lose or gain to reach a healthy BMI?
Find the healthy weight range for your height (18.5–22.9 × height in metres squared) and compare it with your current weight. The calculator above shows this difference directly. Aim for gradual change — about 0.5 kg per week through diet and activity — and consult a doctor before starting any weight-loss plan, especially if you have diabetes, thyroid or heart conditions.