Know your number.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a quick, free screening tool that compares your weight to your height. Enter your details below for an instant result — then talk to Dt. Rupal for a plan that goes beyond the number.
- Underweight
- BMI below 18.5
- Normal
- BMI 18.5 – 25
- Overweight
- BMI 25 – 30
- Obese
- BMI 30 and above
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index is a simple, inexpensive screening measure that compares your weight to your height. It doesn't measure body fat directly, but for most adults it's a reasonable indicator of whether weight falls in a range linked to lower health risk.
The idea dates back to 1832, when Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet devised the underlying formula — it was later renamed "body mass index" in 1972 by physiologist Ancel Keys.
Why a healthy weight matters
- •Fewer joint and muscle pains, more energy for daily activity
- •Better-regulated blood pressure and bodily fluids
- •Lower blood triglycerides and blood glucose
- •Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease
What BMI doesn't tell you
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. It doesn't account for age, sex, ethnicity or muscle mass — a very muscular person can show a high BMI without excess body fat. If your number is outside the "normal" range, it's a reason to have a proper assessment, not a verdict.
Standard and Asian-Indian ranges.
Asian Indians tend to carry more body fat at the same BMI, so Indian guidelines use lower cut-offs than the worldwide WHO ranges shown in the calculator above.
| Category | WHO standard | Asian Indians* |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | below 18.5 | below 18.0 |
| Normal | 18.5 – 24.9 | 18.0 – 22.9 |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | 23.0 – 24.9 |
| Obese | 30 and above | 25 and above |
* Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis of obesity in Asian Indians (Misra et al., 2009).
What people ask about BMI.
What is a healthy BMI for Indians?+
For Asian Indians, the Indian consensus guidelines (2009) put a healthy BMI at 18.0–22.9, count 23.0–24.9 as overweight and 25 or above as obese. These are lower than the WHO cut-offs used worldwide because Asian Indians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the waist, at the same BMI.
How is BMI calculated?+
Divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres, squared. For example, 60 kg at 1.65 m gives 60 ÷ (1.65 × 1.65) = 22.0.
Is BMI accurate for athletes, older adults or pregnant women?+
Not fully. BMI cannot tell muscle from fat, so very muscular people can read as overweight, and it is not used to judge weight during pregnancy. Waist measurement and a proper assessment give a fuller picture.
What should I do if my BMI is outside the healthy range?+
Treat it as a prompt for a proper assessment, not a diagnosis. Dt. Rupal looks at your reports, routine and history, then builds a plan around the food you already eat.