Your body mass index with the Asian-Indian cut-offs doctors use here — plus the weight range that counts as normal for your height.
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How BMI is calculated
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². A person who is 165 cm (1.65 m) tall and weighs 68 kg has a BMI of 68 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 25.0. Enter your height in centimetres or feet and inches — the calculator converts for you and also shows the weight range that would put you in the normal band.
BMI categories: Indian vs WHO
Indians (and South Asians generally) develop diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease at a lower BMI than Europeans, because we tend to carry more fat around the abdomen at the same weight. That is why the Indian consensus guidelines set lower cut-offs than the WHO scale:
| Category | Asian-Indian cut-off | WHO international |
|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 23 – 24.9 | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obese | 25 and above | 30 and above |
So a BMI of 24 is "normal" on the WHO scale but "overweight" by Indian standards. Doctors in India generally use the Indian cut-offs, and they are also the basis for the waist-size advice: under 90 cm for men and under 80 cm for women.
Ideal weight by height (Indian normal band 18.5–22.9)
| Height | Normal weight range |
|---|
| 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) | 41.6 – 51.5 kg |
| 155 cm (5 ft 1 in) | 44.4 – 55.0 kg |
| 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) | 47.4 – 58.6 kg |
| 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) | 50.4 – 62.3 kg |
| 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) | 53.5 – 66.2 kg |
| 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | 56.7 – 70.1 kg |
| 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | 59.9 – 74.2 kg |
What BMI can't tell you
- It doesn't separate muscle from fat — a gym-goer with heavy muscle can have a "high" BMI and low body fat. Try the body fat calculator for a second opinion.
- It ignores where fat sits. Waist size matters more for heart and diabetes risk.
- It is for adults. Children and teenagers are assessed with age-and-sex growth charts (BMI percentiles), and BMI is not used during pregnancy.
BMI is a screening number, not a diagnosis. If your BMI is outside the normal band, or you have symptoms that worry you, talk to a doctor — don't start a crash diet. Staying hydrated helps too: see the
water intake calculator.
Sources & last reviewed
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². International categories from the WHO classification (underweight < 18.5, normal 18.5–24.9, overweight 25–29.9, obese ≥ 30). Asian-Indian cut-offs — overweight ≥ 23 and obesity ≥ 25 — from the Indian consensus statement (Misra et al., JAPI, 2009), also reflected in the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2024.
Official sources: WHO – obesity and overweight · ICMR-NIN
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. Rules and rates change — if you spot something outdated, tell us and we will fix it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMI for Indians?
18.5 to 22.9 by the Asian-Indian cut-offs. 23 to 24.9 is overweight and 25 or more is obese — lower than the WHO scale (normal up to 24.9, obese from 30) because Indians carry more abdominal fat at the same weight.
How do I calculate BMI with height in cm and weight in kg?
Convert height to metres (divide cm by 100), square it, and divide your weight by that number. 165 cm and 68 kg: 68 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 25.0. Or just type both numbers above.
Is a BMI of 23 overweight in India?
Yes — by the Indian consensus cut-offs, overweight starts at 23 (WHO starts at 25). It is a signal to watch your waist size and activity, not a diagnosis.
What is the ideal weight for 5 ft 5 in?
5 ft 5 in is about 165 cm. The Indian normal band (BMI 18.5–22.9) is roughly 50 to 62 kg; the WHO normal band (up to 24.9) extends to about 68 kg.
Does BMI work for children?
No. For anyone under 18, doctors use BMI-for-age percentile charts, which account for growth. This calculator is meant for adults.
Is the BMI calculation different for women and men?
No — the formula (weight ÷ height²) and the cut-offs are the same for adult men and women. Women naturally carry a little more body fat at the same BMI, which is why the body fat calculator gives separate categories by gender.
How to calculate BMI in feet and kg?
Choose Feet & inches in the calculator and enter your height and weight in kg. 5 ft 6 in is 167.6 cm, so 70 kg gives 70 ÷ 1.676² = 24.9 — overweight on the Indian scale, normal on the WHO scale.