Is the BMI chart different for men and women?

The BMI chart uses the same formula and categories for both men and women. The WHO BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) apply equally to adult males and females. However, women naturally carry more body fat than men at the same BMI, so a woman with a BMI of 25 may have a higher body fat percentage than a man with the same BMI. For a more gender-specific assessment, consider measuring body fat percentage.

What is a normal BMI for adults?

A normal BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9 according to the World Health Organization. This range is associated with the lowest health risks for the general population. For Asian populations, the WHO Western Pacific Region recommends a normal range of 18.5 to 22.9 due to higher health risks at lower BMI values.

Why are Asian BMI cutoffs different?

Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages and greater health risks at lower BMI values compared to European populations. Research shows that the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease begins to increase at BMI 23 in Asian populations, compared to BMI 25 in European populations. The WHO Western Pacific Region therefore recommends lower cutoffs: overweight at BMI 23-24.9 and obese at BMI 25 or above.

How accurate is a BMI chart?

A BMI chart provides a reliable screening tool for the general population but has limitations. It does not distinguish between muscle and fat mass, so muscular individuals may be misclassified as overweight. It also does not account for body fat distribution, age-related changes, or ethnic differences in body composition. BMI charts are best used as a starting point, alongside other measures like waist circumference, body fat percentage, and clinical assessments.

What BMI is considered obese?

According to the WHO, a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese for the general population. Obesity is further divided into Class I (BMI 30-34.9), Class II (BMI 35-39.9), and Class III or severe obesity (BMI 40+). For Asian populations, obesity is defined as a BMI of 25 or above using WHO Western Pacific Region cutoffs.

Can I use a BMI chart for children?

Standard BMI charts with fixed categories are designed for adults aged 20 and older. For children and teens (ages 2-20), BMI must be interpreted using age- and sex-specific CDC growth chart percentiles, not fixed BMI numbers. A child's BMI percentile indicates how their BMI compares to other children of the same age and sex. Consult a pediatrician for proper interpretation of a child's BMI.

BMI Chart & Table — Find Your BMI by Height and Weight

Q: How do I read a BMI chart?

To read a BMI chart, find your height in the left column, then move across the row to find the weight closest to yours. The number at the top of that column is your BMI. The color of the cell indicates your BMI category: green for normal weight (18.5-24.9), yellow for overweight (25-29.9), orange for obese class I (30-34.9), and red for higher obesity classes.

Interactive BMI Chart

Use the controls below to customize the chart. Enter your height to highlight your row, or toggle between imperial and metric units.

Units

Your Height (ft)

(in)

Your Height (cm)

Normal (18.5 – 24.9)

Overweight (25 – 29.9)

Obese I (30 – 34.9)

Obese II (35 – 39.9)

Obese III (40+)

Scroll horizontally to see the full chart →

How to Read the BMI Chart

Reading a BMI chart is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Find your height in the leftmost column. Heights are listed from 4'10" (147 cm) to 6'4" (193 cm).
Move across the row to find the weight closest to yours. Each column corresponds to a specific BMI value (shown in the header row).
Check the BMI number at the top of the column where your weight falls. This is your approximate BMI.
Note the color of the cell to quickly identify your BMI category:
- Green = Normal weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9)
- Yellow = Overweight (BMI 25 – 29.9)
- Orange = Obese Class I (BMI 30 – 34.9)
- Red = Obese Class II/III (BMI 35+)

For a precise BMI calculation, use our BMI Calculator which accounts for exact height and weight values.

Quick Example

Height: 5'7" (170 cm) | Weight: 155 lbs (70 kg)

Find 5'7" row, move to ~155 lbs → BMI is approximately 24.3 (Normal weight, green zone)

BMI Categories Visual Guide

Understanding what each BMI range means for your health

Underweight

< 18.5

Low to Moderate Risk

Associated with malnutrition, weakened immune system, bone density loss, and fertility issues. May indicate an underlying health condition.

Normal Weight

18.5 – 24.9

Low Risk

The ideal range associated with the lowest health risks. Maintain this range through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.

Overweight

25 – 29.9

Moderate Risk

Increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Modest weight loss (5-10%) can significantly reduce health risks.

Obese (Class I)

30 – 34.9

High Risk

Significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain cancers. Medical consultation is recommended.

Obese (Class II-III)

35+

Very High to Extreme Risk

Substantially increased mortality risk and comorbidities. Comprehensive medical management including possible surgical options should be discussed.

BMI Chart for Women vs Men

A common question is whether the BMI chart is different for women versus men. The short answer is: the BMI formula and standard category cutoffs are the same for both sexes. The World Health Organization applies identical BMI ranges to adult men and women.

However, the health implications can differ significantly between sexes:

Factor	Women	Men
Body Fat at BMI 25	30 – 35%	20 – 25%
Essential Body Fat	10 – 13%	2 – 5%
Fat Distribution	Hips, thighs, breasts	Abdomen (visceral)
Health Risk Pattern	Risk rises sharply above BMI 30	Risk rises earlier, above BMI 27
Muscle Mass	Lower on average	Higher on average
BMI Overestimation Risk	Less common	More common (muscular men)

Because women naturally have higher body fat percentages, a "normal" BMI woman may still have a relatively high body fat percentage. Conversely, muscular men may be classified as overweight by BMI while having healthy body fat levels. For a sex-specific assessment, combine BMI with a body fat calculation.

Key Takeaway: While the BMI chart numbers are the same for men and women, the underlying body composition differs. Women should aim for the same BMI range (18.5-24.9) but should also consider body fat percentage for a complete picture, especially if their BMI is near the borderline between categories.

Asian BMI Chart: Why Different Cutoffs Matter

For people of Asian descent (including South Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian populations), standard BMI cutoffs may underestimate health risks. The WHO Western Pacific Region and WHO Expert Consultation recommend adjusted thresholds based on extensive research showing that:

Asian populations tend to have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI compared to European populations
Risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease increases at BMI 23 in Asian populations (versus BMI 25 in European populations)
The prevalence of abdominal obesity is higher in Asian populations at lower BMI values

Category	Standard WHO	Asian (WHO WPRO)
Underweight	< 18.5	< 18.5
Normal	18.5 – 24.9	18.5 – 22.9
Overweight	25.0 – 29.9	23.0 – 24.9
Obese Class I	30.0 – 34.9	25.0 – 29.9
Obese Class II	35.0 – 39.9	30.0+
Obese Class III	40.0+	—

You can view the Asian-specific BMI chart by clicking the "Asian BMI Chart" tab at the top of this page. The chart uses the adjusted cutoffs above, with colors shifted to reflect the lower thresholds.

If you are of Asian descent, we recommend using the BMI Calculator with the "Asian (WHO WPRO)" ethnicity setting for the most accurate health risk assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BMI charts and how to interpret them.

To read a BMI chart, find your height in the left column, then move across the row to find the weight closest to yours. The number at the top of that column is your BMI. The color of the cell indicates your BMI category: green for normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), yellow for overweight (BMI 25-29.9), orange for obese class I (BMI 30-34.9), and red for higher obesity classes. You can also enter your height in the controls above to highlight your specific row for easier reading.

Yes, the BMI chart uses the same formula and category thresholds for both men and women. The WHO classifies adults of both sexes using the same BMI ranges: underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), and obese (30+). However, at the same BMI, women typically have about 10% more body fat than men. A woman with a BMI of 25 may have around 30-35% body fat, while a man at the same BMI typically has 20-25% body fat. For a sex-specific assessment, consider measuring body fat percentage alongside BMI.

According to the WHO, a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese for the general population. Obesity is further divided into three classes: Class I (BMI 30-34.9) with high health risk, Class II (BMI 35-39.9) with very high risk, and Class III or morbid/severe obesity (BMI 40+) with extremely high risk. For Asian populations, obesity is defined at a lower threshold of BMI 25+ due to elevated health risks at lower body weights. The BMI chart above uses color coding to visually distinguish these categories.

Research shows that Asian populations have higher body fat percentages at the same BMI compared to European populations, and they develop obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at lower BMI values. For example, the risk of diabetes doubles at BMI 23 in Asian populations, the threshold at which it doubles at BMI 25 in European populations. The WHO Western Pacific Region therefore recommends overweight starting at BMI 23 (not 25) and obesity at BMI 25 (not 30). You can view the Asian BMI chart with these adjusted cutoffs by clicking the "Asian BMI Chart" tab above.

No, this BMI chart is designed for adults aged 20 and older. Children and teenagers (ages 2-20) should not use adult BMI charts because their body composition changes significantly as they grow. For children, BMI is interpreted using age- and sex-specific percentile charts from the CDC. A child in the 85th-94th percentile is considered overweight, and above the 95th percentile is considered obese. Consult a pediatrician for proper evaluation of a child's weight status.

The BMI chart may be misleading for muscular or athletic individuals. Since BMI only measures the ratio of weight to height, it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat. A person with significant muscle mass may fall into the "overweight" or even "obese" range on the chart despite having low body fat. For example, many professional athletes and bodybuilders have BMIs above 30. If you are muscular or very active, a body fat percentage measurement provides a much more accurate assessment of your body composition.

A healthy weight corresponds to a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 (the green zone on the chart). For example: at 5'4" (163 cm) a healthy weight is 108-145 lbs (49-66 kg); at 5'7" (170 cm) it is 118-159 lbs (54-72 kg); at 5'10" (178 cm) it is 129-174 lbs (58-79 kg); at 6'0" (183 cm) it is 136-184 lbs (62-83 kg). Use the chart to find the green-shaded cells in your height row, or try our Ideal Weight Calculator for personalized results using multiple formulas.

BMI Chart & Weight Table

Interactive BMI Chart

How to Read the BMI Chart

BMI Categories Visual Guide

Underweight

Normal Weight

Overweight

Obese (Class I)

Obese (Class II-III)

BMI Chart for Women vs Men

Asian BMI Chart: Why Different Cutoffs Matter

Frequently Asked Questions

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Body Fat Calculator

Ideal Weight Calculator

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