Understanding BMI: What Your Body Mass Index Actually Means
BMI is a common health metric, but it's often misunderstood. Learn how it's calculated, what the categories mean, and why it matters.
Walk into any doctor's office, and one of the first things they'll check is your BMI. But what exactly is this number, and is it a fair measure of health?
The Formula
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple calculation: your weight (kg) divided by your height squared (m²). It was invented in the 1830s by Adolphe Quetelet to measure obesity across populations.
The Categories
- Underweight: Below 18.5
- Normal weight: 18.5 – 24.9
- Overweight: 25 – 29.9
- Obesity: 30 and above
Is It Perfect?
No. BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat. A bodybuilder might be classified as "obese" despite having very low body fat. However, for the general population, it remains a useful screening tool for potential health risks.
Check Your Status
Curious where you stand? Use our BMI Calculator to get an instant estimate and see which category you fall into.
Try this out!
Put this knowledge to use with our free BMI Calculator. No signup required.