BMI Chart for Adults: BMI Ranges and Categories
This BMI chart shows the standard body mass index ranges for underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. Use the table below to interpret your result, compare weight boundaries by height, and understand what your BMI category can—and cannot—tell you about health.
At a Glance
For adults, a BMI below 18.5 is classified as underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 as healthy weight, 25.0 to 29.9 as overweight, and 30.0 or higher as obesity. Obesity is divided into Classes 1, 2, and 3. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and it does not directly measure body fat or overall health.
Adult BMI Chart and Categories
Body mass index compares your weight with your height. The following BMI categories are commonly used for adults aged 20 and older. After you calculate your BMI, find the number in the table to see which standard category it falls into.
| BMI Range | BMI Category | General Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Below the standard healthy-weight BMI range |
| 18.5–24.9 | Healthy weight | Within the standard healthy-weight BMI range |
| 25.0–29.9 | Overweight | Above the standard healthy-weight BMI range |
| 30.0–34.9 | Obesity Class 1 | First adult obesity classification |
| 35.0–39.9 | Obesity Class 2 | Second adult obesity classification |
| 40.0 or higher | Obesity Class 3 | Highest standard adult obesity classification |
The colors make the table easier to scan, but the written range and category—not the color—identify each BMI classification.
A category may suggest that further assessment could be useful, but it does not diagnose a condition. BMI should be considered alongside factors such as waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, activity level, and medical history.
What Do the BMI Categories Mean?
A BMI category describes how a person’s weight compares with their height under a standard adult classification system. It does not explain why someone has that weight or show how much of their weight comes from fat, muscle, bone, or body water.
Underweight BMI
A BMI below 18.5 falls within the underweight category. A lower BMI can have many possible explanations, including a naturally smaller build, recent weight change, nutrition, medication, or an underlying health issue. The number alone cannot determine nutritional status.
Read more about what an underweight BMI may mean.
Healthy Weight BMI
A BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 falls within the standard healthy-weight range. It may be a useful reference point, but being inside this range does not prove that someone is healthy or rule out health concerns.
See the full guide to the normal BMI range for adults.
Overweight BMI
A BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 is categorized as overweight. The result means weight is higher relative to height than the standard healthy-weight range. Muscle mass, body build, and fat distribution can affect how useful this classification is for an individual.
Learn how to interpret the overweight BMI range.
Obesity BMI
A BMI of 30.0 or higher falls within the adult obesity range. The category is divided into three classes. A higher category may be associated with a higher chance of some health concerns, but BMI by itself does not diagnose disease.
Read what a BMI in the obesity range means.
BMI Obesity Classes Explained
The adult obesity range begins at a BMI of 30. It is separated into three obesity classes so healthcare professionals and researchers can describe broad differences within the range.
| Obesity Class | BMI Range | What the Classification Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 obesity | 30.0–34.9 | First range within the adult obesity category |
| Class 2 obesity | 35.0–39.9 | Second range within the adult obesity category |
| Class 3 obesity | 40.0 or higher | Highest standard range within the adult obesity category |
Two adults with the same BMI can have different amounts of body fat, muscle mass, abdominal fat, fitness, and metabolic health. A qualified healthcare professional can consider these factors when interpreting the result.
Height and Weight BMI Chart for Adults
This height weight chart shows approximate body weights at key BMI boundaries. Find your height in the first column, then read across the row to compare weights in pounds at BMI 18.5, 24.9, 25, 30, 35, and 40.
| Height | BMI 18.5 | BMI 24.9 | BMI 25 | BMI 30 | BMI 35 | BMI 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ | 89 lb | 119 lb | 120 lb | 144 lb | 167 lb | 191 lb |
| 5′0″ | 95 lb | 128 lb | 128 lb | 154 lb | 179 lb | 205 lb |
| 5′2″ | 101 lb | 136 lb | 137 lb | 164 lb | 191 lb | 219 lb |
| 5′4″ | 108 lb | 145 lb | 146 lb | 175 lb | 204 lb | 233 lb |
| 5′6″ | 115 lb | 154 lb | 155 lb | 186 lb | 217 lb | 248 lb |
| 5′8″ | 122 lb | 164 lb | 164 lb | 197 lb | 230 lb | 263 lb |
| 5′10″ | 129 lb | 174 lb | 174 lb | 209 lb | 244 lb | 279 lb |
| 6′0″ | 136 lb | 184 lb | 184 lb | 221 lb | 258 lb | 295 lb |
| 6′2″ | 144 lb | 194 lb | 195 lb | 234 lb | 273 lb | 312 lb |
| 6′4″ | 152 lb | 205 lb | 205 lb | 246 lb | 288 lb | 329 lb |
Values are rounded to the nearest pound. Because of rounding, two neighboring BMI boundaries may display the same whole-pound value. Use our online BMI calculator for a more precise result.
At a height of 5′8″, approximately 164 pounds is near the upper boundary of the healthy-weight range, while approximately 197 pounds corresponds to a BMI of 30. These figures are mathematical reference points, not personal weight targets.
How to Use the BMI Table
The quickest method is to calculate your exact number first and then compare it with the adult BMI categories.
- Measure your current height without shoes and your current weight using the same unit system.
- Use our body mass index calculator to calculate your BMI automatically.
- Find your number in the main adult BMI table.
- Read the corresponding underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obesity category.
- Consider the result alongside BMI’s limitations and other information about your health.
For example, an adult with a BMI of 23.4 falls within the standard healthy-weight range of 18.5 to 24.9. That result describes a height-and-weight category. It does not directly show the person’s body-fat percentage, fitness, diet, blood pressure, or overall health.
For calculation instructions and worked examples, read how to calculate BMI.
BMI Chart in Pounds, Inches, Kilograms, and Meters
The BMI categories do not change when you switch measurement systems. Only the formula used to calculate the number changes.
BMI in Pounds and Inches
For US measurements, divide weight in pounds by height in inches squared, then multiply the result by 703.
BMI in Kilograms and Meters
For metric measurements, divide weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
See the complete BMI formula guide for metric and imperial examples.
Does the BMI Chart Change by Sex or Age?
Is the BMI Chart the Same for Men and Women?
Standard adult BMI ranges are generally the same for men and women. The formula uses height and weight and does not directly adjust for sex. However, muscle mass, body-fat percentage, and fat distribution can differ between people even when their BMI is identical.
Read the separate guides to BMI for men and BMI for women for more context. Standard weight-change charts should not be used to assess weight gain during pregnancy. See BMI and pregnancy for educational guidance.
Does the Adult BMI Chart Change With Age?
The standard chart is commonly used for adults aged 20 and older. The numerical categories do not normally change for middle-aged or older adults, but their interpretation may need more context. Changes in muscle mass, bone density, mobility, appetite, and medical history can affect what a BMI result means for an older person.
Learn more about BMI for seniors.
People aged 2 through 19 are assessed using age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles because their bodies are still growing. Read more about BMI for children.
What the BMI Chart Does Not Show
BMI is simple because it uses only height and weight. That simplicity also creates important limits. The calculation cannot determine what makes up a person’s weight or how their health is affected.
BMI does not directly measure:
- Body-fat percentage
- Muscle mass
- Bone density
- Waist circumference
- Fat distribution
- Fitness level
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol
- Medical history
- Nutrition quality
- Overall health
A higher BMI may sometimes be associated with a higher chance of certain health concerns, but the number cannot show whether an individual has a medical condition. A lower or healthy-range BMI also does not guarantee good health.
Read the complete guide to BMI limitations and what the number does not show.
When a BMI Result May Be Misleading
Muscular Adults and Athletes
BMI cannot distinguish muscle from fat. A muscular person may fall within an overweight or obesity category despite having a lower body-fat percentage. Read why BMI may be misleading for athletes.
Older Adults
Age-related muscle loss can mean that two people with the same BMI have different body compositions. Weight history, physical function, and nutrition may provide important context.
Pregnancy
Standard adult categories are not designed to interpret pregnancy weight changes. Pre-pregnancy BMI may be used as one part of professional guidance, but pregnancy requires separate assessment.
Differences in Body Composition
People with the same height, weight, and BMI can have different amounts of muscle, body fat, and abdominal fat. Those differences may affect health in ways the BMI table cannot show.
BMI can also relate differently to body fat and health risk across population groups.
BMI Chart vs Other Body Measurements
No single measurement provides a complete picture of health. Depending on the purpose, BMI may be considered alongside waist size, body composition, clinical measurements, and medical history.
| Measurement | What It Uses | What It May Indicate | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMI | Height and weight | General adult weight category | Does not separate fat, muscle, and bone |
| Waist circumference | Measurement around the waist | Abdominal size and possible central fat distribution | Does not provide a complete health assessment |
| Waist-to-height ratio | Waist measurement compared with height | Central fat distribution relative to body size | Results depend on accurate measurement |
| Body-fat percentage | Estimated fat mass relative to total weight | One part of body composition | Accuracy differs by device and method |
| DEXA scan | Low-dose imaging | Fat mass, lean mass, and bone measurements | Less accessible and more costly than BMI |
See the guide to the main alternatives to BMI for a wider comparison.
Check Your BMI
Enter your height and weight in the BMIBox calculator, then return to this chart to understand the standard adult category. Treat the result as one piece of information rather than a diagnosis.
Use the BMI CalculatorWhat Should You Do After Checking Your BMI?
Start by treating the result as a reference point. A single BMI reading does not require an immediate conclusion about your health or what your weight should be.
Consider whether your weight has changed unexpectedly and how the result fits with your waist size, strength, energy levels, activity, nutrition, sleep, blood pressure, blood tests, and medical history.
You may find these guides useful: what to do if your BMI is high and what BMI may be considered too low.
Speak with a qualified healthcare professional when you are concerned about your weight, have experienced an unexplained change, or need advice based on your personal health and medical history.
BMI Chart FAQs
What is the correct BMI chart for adults?
For adults aged 20 and older, a BMI below 18.5 is categorized as underweight, 18.5 to 24.9 as healthy weight, 25.0 to 29.9 as overweight, and 30.0 or higher as obesity. The obesity range is divided into Classes 1, 2, and 3. These categories are used for screening and do not diagnose health conditions.
What is a healthy BMI range?
The standard healthy BMI range for most adults is 18.5 to 24.9. This means an adult’s weight falls within the healthy-weight category relative to height. It does not guarantee overall health because BMI does not directly measure body fat, muscle mass, waist size, fitness, blood pressure, or medical history.
What BMI is considered overweight?
An adult BMI from 25.0 to 29.9 is categorized as overweight. A BMI of 30.0 or higher falls within the obesity range. The classification is based only on height and weight, so muscle mass and body composition may affect how accurately the category reflects an individual’s health.
What are the three BMI obesity classes?
Class 1 obesity covers BMI values from 30.0 to 34.9. Class 2 covers 35.0 to 39.9, and Class 3 covers a BMI of 40.0 or higher. These classes describe ranges within the adult obesity category, but they do not independently diagnose a medical condition or provide a complete health assessment.
Is the BMI chart the same for men and women?
Standard adult BMI categories are generally the same for men and women because the calculation uses only height and weight. However, BMI does not account directly for differences in muscle mass, body-fat percentage, or fat distribution. Those factors can affect what the same BMI means for different people.
Does the BMI range change with age?
Standard BMI categories are commonly used for adults aged 20 and older and do not normally change by adult age. However, muscle loss, bone changes, nutrition, mobility, and medical history can affect interpretation in older adults. Children and teenagers require age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles rather than adult ranges.
Is a BMI height and weight chart accurate?
A height and weight BMI chart can provide a reliable mathematical estimate when the measurements are accurate. It can show the standard category associated with a height and weight combination. It cannot directly measure body fat, muscle, bone density, waist size, fitness, or overall health, so it should not be treated as a diagnosis.