Free tool
BMI calculator (Indian / Asian cutoffs)
Enter your height and weight in metric or imperial units. The tool calculates your BMI instantly and shows your category against the Indian cutoffs, which run lower than the standard global WHO cutoffs. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.
Your result
Under the standard (non-Asian) WHO cutoffs, this would be classed Normal.
This is a general estimate from the standard BMI formula, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. BMI doesn’t account for muscle mass, bone structure, age or fat distribution. Consult a doctor about your weight, health risks or a suitable target range for you.
Indian / Asian BMI categories vs standard WHO categories
Doctors in India commonly use the lower Asian cutoffs. Your own doctor’s reading of your health takes priority over either table.
| Category | Indian cutoffs (2009 consensus) | Standard WHO cutoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 to 22.9 | 18.5 to 24.9 |
| Overweight | 23 to 24.9 | 25 to 29.9 |
| Obese | 25 and above | 30 and above |
Questions
What is BMI and how is it calculated?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple screening number calculated as your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres, squared: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². It’s a quick starting point based on height and weight alone, not a full body composition or health assessment.
What are the Indian / Asian BMI cutoffs?
The cutoffs used in India are: below 18.5 underweight, 18.5 to 22.9 normal, 23 to 24.9 overweight, and 25 or above obese. They come from the 2009 Indian consensus statement (Misra et al., Journal of the Association of Physicians of India), which adopted the 2000 Asia-Pacific proposal from the WHO Western Pacific Region, IASO and IOTF. They are lower than the standard WHO cutoffs, shown side by side in the table below.
Why are the Indian BMI cutoffs lower than the standard WHO cutoffs?
Studies have found that people of South Asian and other Asian backgrounds tend to show higher health risk, such as diabetes and heart disease, at lower BMI values than the original WHO cutoffs assumed. A 2004 WHO expert consultation (The Lancet) kept the international categories but added lower public-health action points for Asian populations, and the 2009 Indian consensus set the lower cutoffs most Indian doctors now use.
Does a normal BMI mean I’m healthy?
Not on its own. BMI doesn’t account for muscle mass, fat distribution, age or other health markers, so a very muscular person can show a high BMI without excess fat, and someone with a normal BMI can still carry other risk factors. This tool gives a general estimate using a standard formula. It is not medical advice and it does not diagnose anything: talk to a doctor about your weight and health risks.
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