Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator
Understand Your Body Composition
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely-used measure to estimate body fat content. Our calculator, based on established formulas, helps you quickly determine your BMI and offers insights into your overall health. We also provide additional metrics like BMI Prime and Corpulence Index for a more comprehensive assessment.
About the Formula
The BMI formula was developed by Adolphe Quetelet in the 19th century and has been widely adopted by health organizations worldwide. It's calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²).
What This Calculator Does
This tool calculates:
- Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Your BMI Prime
- Your Corpulence Index
- Your weight status category
BMI Categories
| BMI Category | BMI Range |
|---|---|
| Underweight (Severe thinness) | < 16.0 |
| Underweight (Moderate thinness) | 16.0 - 16.9 |
| Underweight (Mild thinness) | 17.0 - 18.4 |
| Normal range | 18.5 - 24.9 |
| Overweight (Pre-obese) | 25.0 - 29.9 |
| Obese (Class I) | 30.0 - 34.9 |
| Obese (Class II) | 35.0 - 39.9 |
| Obese (Class III) | ≥ 40.0 |
Additional Metrics
-
BMI Prime: A standardized version of BMI, calculated as BMI divided by 25. It provides an easy-to-understand ratio of an individual's BMI to the upper limit of the "normal" BMI range.
-
Corpulence Index: This index takes into account the cube of height, potentially offering a more accurate assessment for taller individuals.
Advantages
- Easy to calculate and widely recognized
- Correlates with body fat percentage in most people
- Useful for population-level health assessments
- Provides multiple metrics for a more comprehensive assessment
Considerations and Limitations
- Doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat
- May not be accurate for athletes, elderly, or individuals with extreme body types
- Doesn't account for body composition or distribution of fat
- Not suitable for children or adolescents (different BMI calculations apply)
- Should be used as a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your preferred unit of measurement (Metric or Imperial)
- Enter your height and weight
- Click the "Calculate BMI" button
The calculator will instantly display your BMI, BMI category, BMI Prime and Corpulence Index. The results are also updated in the URL, allowing you to easily share or bookmark your results.
Additional Features
- Automatically adjusts input fields based on chosen unit of measurement
- Results displayed in a clear, easy-to-read table format
- URL updating for easy sharing and bookmarking of results
Remember, while BMI is a useful screening tool, it's not a diagnostic tool. Always consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive health assessment.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Nuttall F. Q. (2015). Body Mass Index: Obesity, BMI, and Health: A Critical Review. Nutrition today, 50(3), 117–128.
- Body mass index. Wikipedia
- Corpulence index. Wikipedia
- Gadzik J. "How much should I weigh?"--Quetelet's equation, upper weight limits, and BMI prime. Connecticut Medicine. 2006 Feb;70(2):81-88.
- Rosenthal, R. J., Morton, J., Brethauer, S., Mattar, S., De Maria, E., Benz, J. K., Titus, J., & Sterrett, D. (2017). Obesity in America. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 13(10), 1643-1650.