BMI Formula:
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Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m² is their height in meters squared. It provides a simple numeric measure of a person's thickness or thinness.
The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula divides a person's weight by the square of their height to categorize their weight status.
Standard Categories:
Tips: Enter weight in kilograms and height in meters. For height in centimeters, divide by 100 (e.g., 175 cm = 1.75 m). All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Is BMI accurate for everyone?
A: BMI may not be accurate for athletes (high muscle mass), pregnant women, or the elderly as it doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat.
Q2: What are the limitations of BMI?
A: BMI doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, or racial/sex differences.
Q3: How often should I check my BMI?
A: For most adults, checking every few months is sufficient unless you're actively trying to change your weight.
Q4: Should children use this calculator?
A: No, children and teens need age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than these adult categories.
Q5: What's a healthy BMI range?
A: For most adults, 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy, but individual health factors should also be considered.