Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
Normal weight: BMI 18.5-24.9
Overweight: BMI 25-29.9
Obese: BMI 30 or greater
Note: BMI is a screening tool but not a diagnostic of body fatness or health.
Let’s start with a fun game.
Ask yourself, “Do I feel healthy?” Let me make it easier for you.
Ask yourself:
Can I run miles without panting a lot?
Do my jeans still fit the way they used to?
Am I active but also kind to my body?
If you feel you are healthy or even if you are unsure or curious about this, it might be a good time for a small health check-in. No, we’re not talking about obsessing over the scale or chasing Instagram body.
We’re talking about a simple number that gives you a reality check of your body’s relationship with your weight. Say hello to your BMI.
If you are someone who wonders whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height, you are talking about BMI (Body Mass Index). It is a quick tool to estimate body fat and check if you're underweight, healthy, overweight, or obese.
Whether you're male or female, young adult or mid-life professional, this simple number can help you understand your health better and take the first step towards becoming healthier.
BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator is a numerical value calculator using your height and weight. It helps in identifying if you might be at risk of weight-related health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or metabolic syndrome. It’s easy to use and becomes very useful for both men and women aged 18 to 65.
You can calculate your BMI manually or even use an online tool. Here’s how to do it:
BMI = weight (kg) / height² (m²)
BMI = (weight in pounds × 703) / height² (in inches)
Let’s break it down for you:
If your weight is 60 kg and your height is 1.65 m.
Here is how you can do BMI on calculator:
BMI = 60 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 22.04
This is considered a healthy weight range.
If you still feel confused, you can check your BMI online using the BMI calculator and match it with the chart below to know more details:
If you are struggling to assess your health after calculating the BMI, here is a BMI chart to help you categorize your weight.
BMI Range |
Category |
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
18.5 – 24.9 |
Normal weight |
25 – 29.9 |
Overweight |
30 and above |
Obese |
The BMI formula stays the same for both men and women, but the real question is how your body interprets that number? Now, that’s where the differences comes in.
While the formula of BMI is:
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height² (m²)
It doesn’t care about your gender, but your body composition does.
As per studies, on average, women naturally carry more body fat (because of the female hormones, estrogen). While, men usually have more muscle mass, which weighs more than fat. So, two people with the same BMI number could look and feel very different depending on their gender and muscle-to-fat ratio.
Also Read: Men vs. Women: Do Diets Really Differ?
A woman with a normal BMI might still feel concerned about her belly fat but that’s okay. In females, BMI doesn’t track fat distribution, that’s the real twist.
A man with a slightly higher male BMI index might still be very fit. Why? Because that extra weight comes from muscles.
BMI is a real-time height and weight calculator, but it doesn’t account for:
Muscle mass
Bone density
Fat distribution
Hormonal differences
Pro Tip: It’s best to use BMI as a guide, not a full diagnosis tool. You can pair it with other health metrics like waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage level, energy levels, and how your clothes feel as well.
Also Read: Unlocking Weight Loss: What is a Calorie Deficit Diet?
While the standard BMI categories are similar for both men and women, here is a detailed BMI (Body Mass Index) chart if you are calculating female BMI.
BMI Range |
Category |
Health Notes for Women |
Below 18.5 |
Underweight |
Risk of nutritional deficiencies or hormonal issues |
18.5 – 24.9 |
Normal (Healthy) |
Ideal range for most women |
25.0 – 29.9 |
Overweight |
May increase risk of heart issues or PCOS |
30.0 – 34.9 |
Obesity Class I (Moderate) |
Higher risk of infertility and diabetes |
35.0 – 39.9 |
Obesity Class II (Severe) |
Risk of chronic health conditions |
40.0 and above |
Obesity Class III (Very severe) |
Serious health risks may be involved, consult your healthcare provider |
To assess BMI on your own, you can check this Body Mass Chart (Weight-to-Height) for women based on BMI categories. It helps in estimating whether your weight is in a healthy range for your height.
Height (feet/inches) |
Underweight (BMI <18.5) |
Healthy (BMI 18.5–24.9) |
4'10" (147 cm) |
< 41 kg |
41 – 54 kg |
5'0" (152 cm) |
< 44 kg |
44 – 59 kg |
5'2" (157 cm) |
< 47 kg |
47 – 63 kg |
5'4" (163 cm) |
< 50 kg |
50 – 68 kg |
5'6" (168 cm) |
< 53 kg |
53 – 72 kg |
5'8" (173 cm) |
< 56 kg |
56 – 77 kg |
5'10" (178 cm) |
< 59 kg |
59 – 81 kg |
6'0" (183 cm) |
< 62 kg |
62 – 86 kg |
Note: Weights are approximately mentioned in kilograms (kg).
The Body Mass Index calculator with age does change, but it is not directly impacted by it. As time passes by, your metabolism slows down, and muscle mass can decrease if it is not maintained. So, BMI may stay the same, but your body composition might shift.
Young adults (18–25) have more muscle, faster metabolism
Aged between 30s – 40s have slight decrease in metabolism and hormonal changes
Aged over 50+ have a risk of muscle loss and increased fat storage
If your BMI is a little low or slightly above the ideal range, you are not alone. Our bodies are unique, and health isn't defined by our BMI. But if you're consciously working towards staying within a healthy BMI range for energy, stamina, or personal goals, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some simple daily tips:
It is recommended to start eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains
Try to avoid processed, sugary, and fried foods
To prevent overeating, you can use portion control like smaller plates
Drink at least 8–10 glasses of water every day
You must ensure that thirst is not mistaken for hunger
Start with small goals like 150–300 minutes of mild exercise weekly
Add strength training twice a week to build lean muscle
If you struggle in intense workouts, walking 30 minutes daily helps as well
Start getting 7–9 hours of sleep ideally
Remind yourself that poor sleep affects metabolism and increases cravings
During the journey, you should keep track and weigh yourself weekly
Use a BMI calculator or a health app to monitor trends but don’t obsess over numbers, it’s all about progress
Stress can lead to emotional eating, which should be avoided
It is recommended to meditate, journal, or go to therapy if you're emotionally struggling
Healthy weight management is a gradual process
Keep making small, consistent changes, that works better than crash diets.
BMI is a quick and easily accessible tool, but your health can’t be reduced to a number. For a detailed health check-in, look for these things as well:
Waist-to-Hip Ratio: It helps you learn about visceral fat. It is the type of fat that wraps around your organs and can increase the risk of heart disease.
Body Fat Percentage: It gives insight into how much of your body is actually fat v/s lean mass. This is very helpful for athletes or gym enthusiasts.
Muscle Mass: It helps you differentiate muscle mass from BMI. Two people with the same BMI can look very different—one may be lean and muscular; another may have low muscle mass.
Energy Levels & Sleep Quality: It helps to assess how you feel daily. Your mood, sleep, and stamina say a lot more about your real health than a BMI number could.
Let’s be real: Your health is so much more than a health number. You are not just your BMI, your waistline, or what the weighing scale says about you.
What truly matters is how comfortable and confident you feel in your body, your mind, and your heart. Are you showing up for yourself daily?
Are you showing yourself love, eating with care, and resting at night? Because that’s what real health looks like. So yes, check your BMI but more importantly, check in with yourself.
You deserve to feel strong, kind, energized, and exactly as you are.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informative purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The content does not make any claims regarding the prevention, cure, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition. Always consult your healthcare provider before adding anything to your healthcare routine.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, August 2022 https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/healthy-weight/measuring-fat/#limitations
World Health Organization (WHO) – BMI Classification https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/topic-details/GHO/body-mass-index
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