BMI calculator for Indian adults
Body mass index compares your weight with your height. Indian guidelines use lower cut-offs than the international ones: overweight starts at 23 and obese at 25. Enter your height in feet or cm to see where you are.
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Overweight for Indian adultsGeneral information for adults, not medical advice. BMI is a screening number and does not diagnose any condition. If you are worried about your weight, speak to a doctor.
BMI chart: Indian and international cut-offs
| Category | Indian adults | International (WHO) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
BMI is weight in kg divided by height in metres, squared. For example, 70 kg at 1.70 m is 70 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 24.2: normal by international cut-offs, but overweight by Indian ones.
Healthy weight by height
| Height | In cm | Healthy weight (BMI 18.5–22.9) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft 10 in | 147 cm | 40–50 kg |
| 5 ft 0 in | 152 cm | 43–53 kg |
| 5 ft 2 in | 157 cm | 46–57 kg |
| 5 ft 4 in | 163 cm | 49–61 kg |
| 5 ft 6 in | 168 cm | 52–64 kg |
| 5 ft 8 in | 173 cm | 55–68 kg |
| 5 ft 10 in | 178 cm | 58–72 kg |
| 6 ft 0 in | 183 cm | 62–77 kg |
A number on the scale is only one signal. Strength, waist size, energy and how your clothes fit show progress too; see how to track gym progress without before-and-after photos and the body measurement tracker guide.
Track your weight trend, not one reading
Iterofit logs your weight, measurements and progress photos next to your workouts, food and a daily check-in. Free on iPhone and Android.
See what Iterofit tracksQuestions
What is a normal BMI for Indians?
18.5 to 22.9. The consensus guidelines for Asian Indians count 23 to 24.9 as overweight and 25 or more as obese, lower than the international cut-offs of 25 and 30.
Why are the cut-offs lower for Indians?
Studies of Asian populations, reviewed by a WHO expert consultation, found that many Asian adults carry more body fat and face higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease at a lower BMI than European populations. Indian guidelines lowered the cut-offs for that reason.
What is the healthy weight for 5 feet 6 inches?
About 52–64 kg, using the Indian normal range of 18.5 to 22.9. Enter your own height above for your range.
Is BMI accurate?
It is a quick screening number, not a diagnosis. It cannot tell muscle from fat, so strong, muscular people can read high. Waist size adds useful context: Indian guidelines flag a waist above 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women.
Does BMI work for children or during pregnancy?
No. Children and teenagers need age-based growth charts, and pregnancy changes weight for other reasons. Ask a doctor in both cases.