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How to Use Our BMI Calculator

3 min read

How to Use Our BMI Calculator

Body Mass Index is one of the most widely used health screening metrics. Our BMI Calculator computes your BMI instantly and explains what the result means.

Entering Your Measurements

You only need two inputs:

  • Height -- Enter your height in feet and inches or centimeters. Be accurate -- even an inch makes a difference in the result.
  • Weight -- Enter your current weight in pounds or kilograms.

The calculator applies the standard BMI formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Understanding Your BMI Category

The World Health Organization defines these categories:

  • Under 18.5: Underweight
  • 18.5 to 24.9: Normal weight
  • 25.0 to 29.9: Overweight
  • 30.0 and above: Obese (with further subdivisions at 35 and 40)

What BMI Does and Does Not Tell You

BMI is a useful population-level screening tool, but it has significant limitations for individuals. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat -- a muscular athlete can score as "overweight" despite having low body fat. It also does not account for body fat distribution, age, sex, or ethnicity.

Use BMI as a starting point, not a final verdict. For a more complete picture of your body composition, combine BMI with body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio measurements.

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