BMI Calculator India 2026
Calculate your Body Mass Index with the Indian consensus cutoffs (overweight from BMI 23, obese from 25 — Misra et al., JAPI 2009) and compare with the WHO international scale. Includes a WHO BMI-for-age mode for children and teens.
Your Measurements
India uses stricter cutoffs than the WHO scale. The Indian consensus guidelines (Misra et al., JAPI 2009 — endorsed by 100+ experts) set overweight at BMI ≥ 23 and obesity at ≥ 25, because Asian Indians develop diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease at lower BMI than Western populations.
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It does not measure body fat directly or account for muscle mass. Consult a doctor for a full assessment.
Your Body Mass Index
Your BMI (Indian classification):
23.9
Overweight (Indian cutoff: BMI ≥ 23)
Above the Indian action point of 23. Indian guidelines recommend lifestyle changes and screening for diabetes and blood pressure at this level.
For comparison — WHO international scale: Normal weight
Gauge shows WHO international bands (18.5 / 25 / 30). The Indian consensus bands are stricter: overweight from 23, obese from 25.
Healthy Weight Range for Your Height
You are 2.4 kg above the Indian healthy range for your height.
BMI Categories — Indian Consensus (JAPI 2009) vs WHO
| Category | India | WHO |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | < 18.5 | < 18.5 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 22.9 | 18.5 – 24.9 |
| Overweight | 23 – 24.9 | 25 – 29.9 |
| Obese | ≥ 25 | ≥ 30 |
Indian guidelines also flag abdominal obesity at a waist circumference of ≥ 90 cm (men) or ≥ 80 cm (women) — a stronger predictor of diabetes risk in Asian Indians than BMI alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the overweight cutoff BMI 23 in India instead of 25?
In 2009, a consensus group of more than 100 Indian experts (Misra et al., Journal of the Association of Physicians of India) — supported by bodies including the ICMR and the Ministry of Health — lowered the cutoffs for Asian Indians: overweight from BMI 23 and obesity from BMI 25, versus the WHO international 25 and 30. Research shows Indians carry more body fat, especially visceral abdominal fat, at the same BMI as Europeans, and develop type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease at substantially lower BMI values.
What is a normal BMI for Indian adults?
Under the Indian consensus guidelines, a normal BMI for Indian adults is 18.5 to 22.9. BMI 23-24.9 is overweight and BMI 25 or above is obese. The guidelines also flag abdominal obesity at a waist circumference of 90 cm or more for men and 80 cm or more for women, which predicts diabetes risk in Indians better than BMI alone.
Why are South Asians at higher diabetes risk at a lower BMI?
South Asians tend to have the "thin-fat" phenotype: at the same BMI they carry a higher percentage of body fat, more visceral (abdominal) fat and less muscle than white Caucasians. This drives insulin resistance at BMI values that look "normal" on the WHO scale. The ICMR-INDIAB study (2023) estimated about 101 million Indians living with diabetes and roughly 136 million more with prediabetes — and diabetes in India often begins a decade earlier than in Western populations. Indian guidelines therefore recommend blood sugar and blood pressure screening once BMI crosses 23.
How is BMI calculated for children and teenagers in India?
Adult cutoffs (including the Indian 23/25 cutoffs) do not apply to anyone under 18. For ages 2-19 this calculator uses the WHO BMI-for-age reference: your child's BMI is converted to a z-score and percentile for their exact age and sex, and classified as thinness, normal, overweight or obesity. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics also publishes India-specific growth charts; for clinical decisions, consult your paediatrician.
Can I enter my height in feet and inches and weight in kg?
Yes. The calculator defaults to kg and cm, but you can switch height to feet + inches (common in India) and weight to pounds independently. All conversions use exact factors (1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg), and the BMI formula is always weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.