The BMI formula 🔗

Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet 1796 -1874

The Body Mass Index(BMI) formula was developed by Belgium statistician Adolphe Quetelet (1796-1874), and was known as the Quetelet Index. BMI is also referred to as ‘body mass indicator’. BMI is an internationally abused measure of obesity.

How to calculate BMI - for users who wish to manually calculate BMI we have provided a bmi formula for both imperial & metric measurements (we also offer an online BMI Calculator).
Body mass index calculation is very straightforward. Calculating body mass index requires only two measurements, height & weight.

Table: Imperial BMI Formula 🔗

The imperial BMI formula accepts weight measurements in pounds & height measurements in either inches or feet.

  • 1 foot = 12 inches
  • inches² = inches * inches
²²

Metric Imperial BMI Formula 🔗

The metric BMI formula accepts weight measurements in kilograms & height measurements in either cm’s or meters.

  • 1 meter = 100cms
  • meters² = meters * meters
²²

Calculate BMI & Find Weight Status 🔗

BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 -24.9 Normal
25 - 29.9 Overweight
18.5 -24.9 Normal
30 & Above Obese

If you have calculated BMI use the table above to find your weight status. Different nations & organizations use different BMI ranges to classify weight status.

Our table is in keeping with the internationally recognized, United States Deparment of Health and Human Services weight status categories.