How To Calculate Your Body Mass Index Or BMI

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to your weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or at a healthy weight for your height. For details on calculating your BMI manually, follow the steps below.

#1 Weigh & Measure

Weigh yourself on your bathroom scale. Note: the following formula is calculated in pounds.

#2 Measure your height in inches using the yardstick or measuring tape.

Measure your height in inches using the yardstick or measuring tape.

Stand against the wall and use a pencil to make a mark at the top of your head, then measure.

#3 Calculating Your BMI Manually

Use the pencil, paper and calculator to perform the following BMI calculation.

#4 Take your height in inches and square the number.

In other words, multiply the number of inches by the same number of inches.

#5

Divide your weight in pounds by the second figure. The second figure is your height in inches squared.

#6

Multiply that answer by the conversion factor of 703 if you used inches and pounds. Skip if you used meters and kilograms. The answer is your body mass index.

#7 Judge your personal BMI result against the following scale:

A BMI of less than 18 means you are under weight.

A BMI of less than 18.5 indicates you are thin for your height.

A BMI between 18.6 and 24.9 indicates you are at a healthy weight.

A BMI between 25 and 29.9 suggests you are overweight for your height.

A BMI of 30 or greater indicates obesity. If you are obese, consider consulting a doctor or losing weight.

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