Check whether your weight suits your height
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple measure of whether your weight is low, healthy or high for your height. South Asians face diabetes and heart risk at a lower BMI than other populations, so this tool shows both the international and the Asian cut-offs side by side.
WHO BMI classification, plus the Asian cut-offs from the WHO Expert Consultation (Lancet, 2004).
This tool is for general information only. It does not diagnose anything and it is not a substitute for a doctor's advice. If something is wrong or worrying you, please speak to a registered doctor.
Everything you enter is calculated in your own browser. Nothing is saved and nothing is sent anywhere.
If you want to talk your result through, these are the specialists to see.
For South Asians, WHO guidance treats 18.5 to 22.9 as the healthy band. From 23 the weight counts as raised, and 27.5 or above as obese. The international chart uses 25 and 30, but South Asian bodies carry more fat at the same BMI, so the risk begins earlier.
No. BMI only compares height and weight, so it cannot separate fat from muscle. An athlete can score high while being perfectly healthy, and someone with a normal BMI can still carry risky fat around the waist, which is why waist measurement matters too.
The number is worked out the same way but read differently. Under 18 it must be compared against growth-chart percentiles for the child's age and sex; adult bands do not apply. If you are worried about a child's weight, see a paediatrician.
Start by getting blood sugar and blood pressure checked, since those are the two most closely tied to weight. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your current weight already brings much of the risk down. Rather than starting a strict diet alone, it is better to see a nutritionist or a general physician.
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