BMI Calculator for Indian Adults

Guide

How BMI is calculated

BMI = weight in kilograms ÷ (height in metres)². For example, 70 kg at 1.70 m gives 70 ÷ 2.89 = 24.2. Feet and inches are converted to centimetres (1 foot = 30.48 cm, 1 inch = 2.54 cm) before the calculation.

Why Indian cut-offs are lower

Studies show that South Asians tend to carry more body fat and have a higher risk of diabetes and heart disease at the same BMI as Europeans. Indian consensus guidelines therefore use: below 18.5 underweight, 18.5–22.9 normal, 23–24.9 overweight, 25 and above obese. The WHO international categories (normal up to 24.9, obese from 30) are shown alongside so you can compare.

Limits of BMI

BMI does not measure body fat directly. Muscular people can have a high BMI while being healthy, and older adults can have a normal BMI with low muscle. It is not meant for children, teenagers or pregnant women. Waist size (risk rises above about 90 cm for Indian men and 80 cm for women) adds useful information. Treat the result as a screening number and talk to a doctor for advice.

Worked examples

68 kg at 165 cm (5 ft 5 in): BMI = 68 ÷ 1.65² ≈ 25.0 – ‘normal’ by WHO but ‘obese’ by the Indian cut-off of 25. The Indian normal range for 165 cm is roughly 50.4–62.3 kg. 85 kg at 175 cm: BMI ≈ 27.8, obese by Indian cut-offs and overweight by WHO. These examples show why Indian adults should look at both columns, and at waist size, rather than only the WHO label.