US-Friendly BMI Tool (ft, in & lb)

BMI Calculator: Check Your BMI in Seconds

Free US-friendly BMI calculator with ft/in & lb support. Get BMI, healthy range 18.5-24.9 and ideal weight plus body fat and protein tools. No signup, instant result.

  • Imperial + metric: ft/in/lb and cm/kg supported
  • Instant result with healthy range 18.5-24.9
  • BMI chart, ideal weight tips and 10 FAQs below
18.5 - 24.9 Healthy BMI range (CDC standard)
ft / in / lb first Built for US users, metric also works
BMI + 3 tools Body fat, child BMI and protein calculators

Free BMI Calculator

Enter Height & Weight to Get Your BMI

US users use feet, inches and pounds. Metric users use cm and kg. Result follows CDC BMI cutoffs.

BMI 18.5-24.9 is the CDC healthy range for most adults. BMI screens weight status only; muscle, age, pregnancy and body fat need separate review. Results are for reference, not a medical diagnosis.

CDC BMI Chart

BMI Chart: What Each Range Means for US Adults

CDC adult cutoffs. Enter your ft/in and lb above to see where you land, then match advice below.

BMI range Weight status What to do next
< 18.5 Underweight (below 18.5) Below 18.5: eat 3 meals + 1-2 protein snacks, strength train 2-3x weekly, track weight monthly.
18.5 - 24.9 Healthy weight (18.5-24.9) 18.5-24.9: maintain with 150 min cardio, 2 strength days, vegetables at half plate and steady sleep.
25 - 29.9 Overweight (25-29.9) 25-29.9: aim for 0.5-1 lb loss per week with calorie tracking, sugary drinks cut and daily walks.
>= 30 Obesity (30 or higher) 30+: start with a doctor visit, 5-10% loss goal, food + activity log and dietitian support.

BMI Guide

Beyond the Number: Use BMI the Right Way

BMI is a fast screen for US adults. Pair it with waist, body fat, activity, sleep and CDC guidance before you act.

Why BMI still matters

One number flags underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity so you know what to check next.

Healthy range 18.5-24.9

CDC uses 18.5-24.9 as healthy for most adults. Use ft/in + lb or cm + kg, both give the same BMI.

When BMI misleads

Athletes, older adults, pregnancy and high muscle can skew BMI. Add waist and body fat for context.

Turn result into a plan

Log food 2 weeks, set a 1-lb weekly goal, lift twice weekly and re-check BMI monthly.

Next Steps

Your BMI Action Plan by Goal

BMI 25+: lose fat

500 kcal daily deficit, 0.7-1g protein per lb, 8000+ steps, 2 cardio + 2 lifting sessions weekly.

BMI below 18.5: gain healthy weight

Add 300-500 kcal daily with milk, eggs, nuts, beans and meat plus full-body strength 3x weekly.

BMI 18.5-24.9: stay there

Weigh monthly, keep activity streaks, sleep 7-9 hours and fix 1 habit at a time when weight drifts.

BMI & Weight Guides

BMI Guides, Charts and Weight Tips Worth Reading

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BMI FAQ

BMI Calculator FAQ: 10 Answers US Users Ask Most

What is a good BMI for US adults?

CDC calls 18.5-24.9 healthy for most adults. Below 18.5 is underweight, 25-29.9 is overweight, 30+ is obesity. Athletes, older adults and pregnancy need extra context.

How do I calculate BMI with feet, inches and pounds?

Use BMI = 703 x weight (lb) / height (in)^2. Example: 5 ft 9 in (69 in) and 170 lb gives 703 x 170 / (69 x 69) = 25.1, just over the healthy range. Or switch to metric above and we do it for you.

Does a normal BMI always mean I am healthy?

No. BMI misses body fat, muscle, waist size and blood markers. Pair a normal BMI with waist under 40 in for men or 35 in for women, plus blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks.

What is my ideal weight for my height?

Multiply the healthy BMI bounds by your height squared. Example at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m): 18.5 x 1.75^2 = 56.7 kg (125 lb) to 24.9 x 1.75^2 = 76.3 kg (168 lb). That 125-168 lb band is your CDC healthy window.

Why do muscular people get overweight BMI readings?

Muscle is dense, so lifters can hit BMI 27-30 with low body fat. If you train hard, add waist size and body fat percentage: men under 20% and women under 30% often signal fitness despite higher BMI.

What BMI is obese, and when should I see a doctor?

BMI 30+ is obesity and 40+ is severe obesity. See your doctor soon if BMI is 30+, weight rises fast, or you have high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint pain or shortness of breath.

Is BMI accurate for women, older adults and kids?

BMI cutoffs are the same for adult men and women, but women carry more essential fat. After 65, slightly higher BMI can be okay. Never use adult cutoffs for kids; use CDC child BMI percentiles by age and sex instead.

How often should I check BMI, and how fast should weight change?

Weigh weekly under the same conditions and judge the 4-week trend. Aim for 1-2 lb per week loss or 0.5 lb per week gain. Recheck BMI monthly instead of daily.

BMI vs body fat percentage: which should I track?

Track both. BMI screens categories fast; body fat shows composition. Healthy body fat is roughly 10-20% for men and 18-28% for women. Try our free body fat calculator below for the second number.

How can I lower BMI from overweight to healthy safely?

Keep a 500 kcal deficit, 150 min brisk walking plus 2 lifting days, protein at each meal, no sugary drinks, 7-9 hours sleep. Most people drop 1 BMI point every 4-6 weeks this way.