BMI Calculator
Calculate your Body Mass Index with ideal weight range — uses Asian BMI cut-offs recommended by WHO
| Underweight | Below 18.5 |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 23 – 24.9 |
| Obese Class I | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obese Class II | 30 and above |
BMI categories for adults (WHO Asian cut-offs)
Underweight
Risk of nutritional deficiencies, weakened immunity, and osteoporosis. Common in young adults with high metabolism or restricted diets.
Normal
The healthy range for Asian populations. Lowest risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Aim to stay here.
Overweight
Note: the WHO international cut-off is 25, but for Asian populations, risk increases from 23 itself due to higher body fat at the same BMI compared to Western populations.
Obese
Significantly elevated risk of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint problems. Medical consultation recommended for sustained weight management.
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis
BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. A muscular person with visible abs can register as "overweight" while a sedentary person with excess belly fat can be "normal" BMI. For a complete picture, measure your waist circumference (risk increases above 90cm for men, 80cm for women in Asian populations) and get a body composition test if possible. BMI works best as a population-level indicator, not an individual health verdict.
Small changes that move the needle
Losing just 5-7% of body weight reduces Type 2 diabetes risk by 58% according to the Diabetes Prevention Program study. For a 85kg person, that's only 4-6 kg. A 30-minute daily walk burns roughly 150 calories — enough to lose 0.5 kg per month without any dietary change. Combine it with reducing one sugary drink per day and you're looking at 1 kg/month of sustainable loss.
Key Terms
BMI
Body Mass Index — a numerical value calculated from weight and height (kg/m²) used as a screening tool for weight categories.
Asian Cut-offs
WHO recommends lower BMI thresholds for Asian populations: overweight starts at 23 (not 25) due to higher body fat percentage at the same BMI compared to Western populations.
Ideal Body Weight
The weight range that corresponds to a BMI of 18.5–22.9 for your height. This range is associated with the lowest health risk for Asian populations.
Waist Circumference
Measured at the navel level. For Asian populations, risk increases above 90cm for men and 80cm for women — a better predictor of metabolic risk than BMI alone.