How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index or BMI

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a comparison of weight to the squared value of height. Comparing weight to height allows classification of a person’s weight into categories ranging from underweight to morbidly obese. Body mass index, or BMI, is a good indicator of ideal weight for most people. However, BMI classification does no work well for athletes and other muscular individuals. There are simple steps below to calculate body mass index without an online calulator.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Calculate Body Mass Index, or BMI:
   
   Multiply your weight, in pounds, by 703.
   Divide the result by your height, in inches.
   Divide the result by your height, in inches, again.

2. Classification of Body Mass Index, or BMI:
   * Below 18.5 indicates that you are underweight.
   * Between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates that you have a healthy body weight.
   * Between 25 and 29.9 indicates that you are overweight.
   * Between 30 and 39.9 indicates obesity.
   * A score of 40 or higher indicates morbid obesity.

3. Body Mass Index, or BMI, can be simply calculated using an online calculator. There is link in the resource section below.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

[TaxGuru]

on 2/16/2009 Interesting! I didn't know you could calculate BMI, or body mass index, without using an online calculator.

[CanningPreserve]

on 2/13/2009 Thanks for the formula to calculate BMI

[heatherschulte]

on 2/13/2009 There are many online calculators to calculate body mass index, or BMI. But, this is a simple calculation that you can do by hand.

[acole]

on 7/21/2008 Good, informational article.