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Height
Weight

BMI, Briefly Explained

Body Mass Index (BMI) uses just two numbers — your height and your weight — to estimate where you sit relative to a healthy weight range. It's the quick screening measure health professionals reach for first.

The calculation

The formula is weight (kg) divided by height (m) squared — kg/m². Results from 18.5 to 24.9 are generally read as a healthy weight; 25 to 29.9 counts as overweight, and 30 upwards as obese.

Where BMI falls short

BMI is a rule of thumb, not a medical verdict. The calculation ignores muscle mass, body composition, age and ethnicity, so someone very muscular can register as "overweight" while carrying little fat. Treat the figure as a starting point and seek professional advice for anything tailored.