Toolbox
BMI Calculator
Body Mass Index — a quick screening number that flags whether weight relative to height is in the range associated with the lowest population-level metabolic risk.
Your details
Affects WHO threshold cutoffs for Asian / South Asian populations.
Body Mass Index
What this means
A BMI of 26.0 places you in the increased metabolic risk range. Your weight relative to height is above the range associated with the lowest metabolic risk. BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat, which is why two people with the same BMI can have very different metabolic profiles.
What to consider
BMI alone is not the full picture. Pair it with your Body Fat % and Waist-to-Height Ratio for a much clearer understanding. If you are physically active or have significant muscle mass, your BMI may overstate your metabolic risk.
Medications that may affect your result
Corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone) can cause weight gain and fluid retention that elevate BMI without a change in metabolic health.
Some antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine, quetiapine) and some antidepressants (mirtazapine, tricyclics) are associated with significant weight gain over time and can raise BMI independent of lifestyle factors.
SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) typically lower body weight and BMI; if you are on one of these, your unmedicated BMI would likely be higher than the number you see here.
BMI does not distinguish medication-driven weight changes from underlying metabolic shifts. Discuss with your healthcare provider for proper context.
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About this tool
Formula
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)². Standard WHO formula.
Thresholds
General: below 18.5 / 18.5–24.9 / 25.0–29.9 / 30.0+
Asian / South Asian: increased risk at 23.0, elevated at 27.5 (WHO).
Limitations
Does not distinguish muscle from fat. Less accurate for older adults, muscular individuals, and those with physical disabilities or edema. Developed on predominantly European data. Does not account for fat distribution.
Sources
WHO Global BMI Classification (2000). WHO Expert Consultation on Asian Populations (2004).
Educational tool only. Not for diagnostic purposes. Consult a healthcare provider for medical decisions.