Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults
BMI Calculator
Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation
Utilize this service for:
- Verify the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual who is 18 years old or older.
- Obtain guidance on the next steps to take.
It is not recommended to utilize this tool for diagnosing symptoms. In case of concerns regarding weight, it is advisable to reach out to your nearby pharmacist or GP clinic.
Individuals who should avoid using this tool
This tool should not be utilized if either you or the individual for whom it is being used:
- If you are younger than 18 years old,
- If you are currently pregnant,
- If you have received a diagnosis for an eating disorder or suspect that you may have one,
- If you have a medical condition that impacts your height,.
For individuals aged 2 to 17, use the BMI calculator for children and teenagers.
Cultural Heritage
The calculator will also prompt for details regarding your ethnicity.
Individuals with ancestry from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean or the Middle East are at a greater risk of experiencing health issues at a lower body mass index (BMI).
Upon inputting your ethnic background, the calculator will provide more precise guidance regarding your BMI outcome.
The outcome of your performance
The weight category for your BMI result will be shown as a numerical value from the following options:
- having a weight below the recommended range
- maintaining a weight that is considered to be in good health
- having a weight above the recommended range
- being significantly overweight and at risk for health issues
Following the receipt of your outcome, you might be prompted to assess your waist circumference. This aids in determining if you have excess weight in your abdominal area.
The calculation of your BMI
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is determined by dividing the weight of an individual in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
To illustrate, if your weight is 70 kg (equivalent to 11 stone) and your height is 1.73 m (equivalent to 5 feet 8 inches), you can determine your BMI by:
- To calculate your height in meters, simply multiply your height (1.73) by itself (1.73) to get 2.99.
- Similarly, dividing your weight (70) in kilograms by 2.99 will give you a result of 23.41.
Interpretation of your outcome
Having a higher BMI can lead to an increased risk of developing chronic illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The assessment of BMI is merely a single indicator of overall health, as it is unable to distinguish between muscle mass and body fat.
An individual with a significant amount of muscle mass may be categorized as overweight or obese, despite having a low percentage of body fat. This can occur, for instance, if one has a large amount of muscle.
Measuring your waist can provide a more comprehensive understanding of your overall health, which is why it may be beneficial to do so.
