BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure calculated using height and weight to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight. Formula: BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)^2. For Indians, normal BMI range is 18.5 to 22.9.

What is healthy weight for 5 feet 4 inches height?

For 5 feet 4 inches height (162.56 cm), healthy weight range (BMI 18.5-22.9) is approximately 48.8 kg to 60.5 kg for Indians. For Western BMI standards (18.5-24.9), healthy range is 48.8 to 65.8 kg.

Is BMI accurate for Indians?

Standard BMI calculations apply, but interpretation differs for Indians. WHO recommends lower cut-off points for Asians: overweight from BMI 23 (vs 25 for others) and obese from BMI 27.5 (vs 30). South Asians tend to have higher body fat percentage at same BMI compared to Europeans.

What is BMI for men vs women?

BMI formula is the same for men and women. However, women naturally have more body fat than men at the same BMI. A BMI of 22 may indicate different body fat percentages: approximately 15-18% for men and 22-25% for women. Both still fall in the healthy range.

BMI Calculator (2026) – Body Mass Index for Men & Women

🕐 Updated: April 2026 🔒 Free & Instant ⚖ Indian BMI Standards

⚖ Based on WHO Asia-Pacific Guidelines for Indians

BMI Calculator – Body Mass Index

Weight (kg)

Height (cm)

Gender

Age (years)

Your BMI

24.2

Normal

BMI Value24.2

Category (Indian)Normal

Healthy Weight Range53.4 – 66.1 kg

Weight to Lose/Gain—

BMI Scale (Indian Standards)

‹18.518.5232530+

Underweight

<18.5

Normal

18.5–22.9

Overweight

23–24.9

Obese

>25

What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple measurement that uses your height and weight to estimate whether you have a healthy body weight. It was developed by Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet in the 19th century and is widely used today by doctors, nutritionists, and health organizations worldwide.

BMI is not a direct measure of body fat but is a useful screening tool to identify potential weight-related health risks. A high BMI can indicate excess body fat and increased risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. A low BMI can indicate undernutrition and associated health risks.

Why BMI Matters for Indians

Research shows that South Asians, including Indians, tend to develop obesity-related diseases at lower BMI values compared to Western populations. The WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines recommend lower cut-off points for Indians:

Overweight starts at BMI 23 for Indians (vs 25 for others)
Obese starts at BMI 27.5 for Indians (vs 30 for others)
Indians have higher body fat percentage and abdominal fat at same BMI
Risk of diabetes and heart disease begins at lower BMI in Indians

BMI Formula & How to Calculate BMI

BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)²

Or in Imperial units:
BMI = (Weight in lbs / Height in inches²) × 703

Example (Metric): Weight = 70 kg, Height = 170 cm (1.70 m)
BMI = 70 / (1.70 × 1.70) = 70 / 2.89 = 24.2

Example (Imperial): Weight = 154 lbs, Height = 5’7″ (67 inches)
BMI = (154 / 67²) × 703 = (154 / 4489) × 703 = 24.1

How to Use BMI Calculator

Select Metric (kg/cm) or Imperial (lbs/ft-in)
Enter your Weight
Enter your Height
Select Gender and enter Age
Click Calculate BMI — get your BMI with category, healthy weight range, and health tips

BMI Categories for Indians (WHO Asia-Pacific)

BMI Range	Category (Indian Standard)	Health Risk	Action Recommended
Below 18.5	Underweight	Malnutrition risk, weak immunity	Consult doctor, increase caloric intake
18.5 – 22.9	Normal / Healthy	Low risk	Maintain current weight and lifestyle
23.0 – 24.9	Overweight	Moderate risk (diabetes, BP)	Diet control, regular exercise
25.0 – 29.9	Obese Class I	High risk	Medical advice, lifestyle changes
30.0 – 34.9	Obese Class II	Very high risk	Medical intervention required
35.0 and above	Obese Class III	Extremely high risk	Urgent medical attention

*Indian/Asian standard uses lower thresholds. Western standard: Normal 18.5-24.9, Overweight 25-29.9, Obese 30+.

Healthy Weight Chart by Height (Indian Standards)

Height	Healthy Weight (Indian: BMI 18.5–22.9)	Healthy Weight (Western: BMI 18.5–24.9)
150 cm (4’11”)	41.6 – 51.5 kg	41.6 – 56.1 kg
155 cm (5’1″)	44.4 – 55.0 kg	44.4 – 59.8 kg
160 cm (5’3″)	47.4 – 58.6 kg	47.4 – 63.7 kg
165 cm (5’5″)	50.3 – 62.3 kg	50.3 – 67.7 kg
170 cm (5’7″)	53.4 – 66.1 kg	53.4 – 71.9 kg
175 cm (5’9″)	56.6 – 70.1 kg	56.6 – 76.3 kg
180 cm (5’11”)	59.9 – 74.2 kg	59.9 – 80.8 kg
185 cm (6’1″)	63.3 – 78.4 kg	63.3 – 85.4 kg

For more specific BMI ranges, check our BMI for Men and BMI for Women calculators.

Limitations of BMI – When BMI is Not Accurate

While BMI is a useful screening tool, it has several limitations:

Athletes & Bodybuilders — may have high BMI due to muscle mass, not fat. Muscle weighs more than fat, making BMI misleadingly high
Elderly people — lose muscle mass with age; BMI may appear normal while body fat percentage is high
Pregnant women — BMI is not applicable during pregnancy
Children — age and gender-specific BMI charts should be used for those under 18
Waist circumference is often more predictive of health risk than BMI, especially for Indians

Better Alternatives to BMI

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) — better indicator of abdominal fat
Body Fat Percentage — requires DEXA scan or bioelectrical impedance
Waist Circumference — above 80 cm (women) or 90 cm (men) indicates high risk for Indians
Visceral Fat Assessment — CT scan or MRI for detailed fat distribution

Frequently Asked Questions – BMI Calculator

What is normal BMI for Indians? +

For Indians, normal BMI is 18.5 to 22.9 as per WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines. BMI 23-24.9 is overweight and 25+ is obese. These are lower than Western standards (18.5-24.9 normal) because Indians develop obesity-related diseases at lower BMI values.

How to calculate BMI? +

BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m)². Example: 70 kg, 170 cm → BMI = 70 / (1.70)² = 70 / 2.89 = 24.2. Or use our free BMI calculator above — enter weight and height to get instant BMI with category and healthy weight range.

What is healthy weight for 5 feet 7 inches? +

For 5’7″ height (170 cm), healthy weight range (Indian standard BMI 18.5-22.9) is 53.4 kg to 66.1 kg. For Western BMI standard (18.5-24.9), healthy range is 53.4 to 71.9 kg. Our calculator shows your personal healthy weight range based on your height.

Is BMI different for men and women? +

The BMI formula is the same for men and women. However, women naturally have more body fat than men at the same BMI — healthy body fat % for women is 20-30% vs 8-20% for men. This is why our calculator asks for gender to provide more personalized health guidance.

What BMI is considered obese for Indians? +

For Indians, BMI 25 and above is considered obese (Class I) as per WHO Asia-Pacific guidelines. Western standard uses 30 as the obese threshold. This lower cut-off for Indians is because South Asians have higher metabolic risk and body fat percentage at lower BMI values.

Can BMI be wrong for athletes? +

Yes. Athletes and bodybuilders often have high BMI due to heavy muscle mass, not fat. Since muscle weighs more than fat, their BMI may show “overweight” or “obese” even when they are very healthy. For athletes, body fat percentage measurement is a better indicator than BMI.