Body mass index for adults
BMI calculator with Indian cut-offs
Enter your height and weight to see your body mass index on the scale doctors use for Indians, where overweight starts at 23 and not 25. You also see the WHO international band and the weight range that is usually healthy for your height. General information, not medical advice. Please consult a doctor.
Last updated: Reviewed by IndiaDigital editorsSources
General information, not medical advice. Please consult a doctor.
How the numbers work
- BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. We round it to one decimal, so 22.94 shows as 22.9.
- Indian scale (Misra and others, 2009 consensus for Asian Indians): below 18.0 underweight, 18.0 to 22.9 normal, 23.0 to 24.9 overweight, 25 or more obese. Indians tend to carry more body fat and get diabetes and heart disease at lower BMI than Europeans.
- WHO international scale, shown for comparison: below 18.5 underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 normal, 25 to 29.9 overweight, 30 or more obese.
- BMI does not see muscle, bone or where fat sits. Waist size matters too: 90 cm or more for men and 80 cm or more for women is a sign of belly fat in Indians. It is for adults only, not for children, teenagers or pregnancy.
Questions people ask
Why is the Indian normal range lower than the WHO one?
Studies show that Asian Indians have more body fat and higher risk of diabetes and heart disease at the same BMI. So the 2009 Indian consensus treats 23 and above as overweight and 25 and above as obese.
My BMI is high but I exercise a lot. Is that wrong?
It can be. BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes can show a high BMI. Waist size and a check-up with your doctor give a better picture.
Can I use this for my child or during pregnancy?
No. Children and teenagers need age and sex growth charts, and weight in pregnancy is judged differently. Ask your paediatrician or obstetrician.
Is my weight saved anywhere?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent or stored.
Sources
Last checked:
- Misra A et al. Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians. J Assoc Physicians India 2009;57:163-70 Indian BMI cut-offs 18.0 / 23.0 / 25.0 and waist 90 cm (men) / 80 cm (women).
- WHO Expert Consultation. Appropriate body-mass index for Asian populations. Lancet 2004;363:157-63 International cut-offs 18.5 / 25 / 30 and public health action points for Asians.
- Misra A et al. Revised definition of obesity in Asian Indians living in India. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2025 Newer guidance: keeps BMI 23 and adds waist and health checks.