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Body mass index (BMI)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared; a rough screening tool.
Measures
Definition
Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. For adults, 18.5–24.9 is classed as the healthy range, 25 and above as overweight and 30 and above as obese. BMI is a quick population screening tool, not a diagnosis: it cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes may read high while being lean, and it works less well for some ethnic groups and older adults. Waist size and fitness add useful context.
Related terms
Body-fat percentage
The share of your weight that is fat — a better body-composition measure than BMI.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
The energy your body burns at complete rest just to stay alive.
Source: Standard public-health definition of body mass index. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
What is body mass index (BMI)?
Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. For adults, 18.5–24.9 is classed as the healthy range, 25 and above as overweight and 30 and above as obese. BMI is a quick population screening tool, not a diagnosis: it cannot tell muscle from fat, so athletes may read high while being lean, and it works less well for some ethnic groups and older adults. Waist size and fitness add useful context.
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