This BMI calculator India edition reads your result on the cut-offs that Indian doctors use, which are lower than the global ones. For Indian adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 22.9 is healthy, 23 to 24.9 is overweight and 25 or more is obese. The WHO list used in most countries only calls 25 overweight and 30 obese.
The reason is body composition. At the same BMI, people of South Asian origin carry more fat and more of it around the organs, and they develop diabetes and heart disease at lower weights. The Indian and Asian BMI calculator bands are meant to catch that risk early.
Quick numbers
Healthy, Indian adults
18.5 to 22.9Overweight
23 to 24.9Obese
25 and aboveWaist, men
over 90 cm is highWaist, women
over 80 cm is high
Indian BMI chart vs WHO
| BMI | Indian adults | WHO |
|---|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight | Underweight |
| 18.5 to 22.9 | Normal | Normal |
| 23 to 24.9 | Overweight | Normal |
| 25 to 29.9 | Obese | Overweight |
| 30 and above | Obese | Obese |
The Indian bands come from the consensus guidelines written by Indian specialists, in line with a WHO expert advice for Asian populations that proposed extra action points at 23 and 27.5.
Indian BMI calculator weights by height
| Height | Healthy (kg) | Overweight (kg) | Obese (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 41.6 to 51.5 | 51.8 to 56.0 | 56.2 and above |
| 155 cm | 44.4 to 55.0 | 55.3 to 59.8 | 60.1 and above |
| 160 cm | 47.4 to 58.6 | 58.9 to 63.7 | 64.0 and above |
| 165 cm | 50.4 to 62.3 | 62.6 to 67.8 | 68.1 and above |
| 170 cm | 53.5 to 66.2 | 66.5 to 72.0 | 72.2 and above |
| 175 cm | 56.7 to 70.1 | 70.4 to 76.3 | 76.6 and above |
| 180 cm | 59.9 to 74.2 | 74.5 to 80.7 | 81.0 and above |
Every height has its own page; start from the height weight chart.
Why Asians need different cut-offs
Studies across India, China, Japan and other Asian countries found that at a BMI of 23 to 25, Asians had the same rates of diabetes and high blood pressure as Europeans at 25 to 30. South Asians in particular tend to have less muscle, more fat under the skin of the trunk and more fat inside the abdomen and liver.
Doctors sometimes call this the thin-fat build: a slim frame with a soft middle. It is common in Indian men and women alike and can be present at a normal BMI.
BMI calculator for Indian women and men
The cut-offs are the same for Indian women and Indian men. Waist limits differ: 80 cm for women and 90 cm for men, measured at the navel. If your BMI is normal but your waist is over the limit, your risk is closer to that of someone with a higher BMI.
Read more on the female BMI page and the male BMI page.
BMI calculator India: what to do with the result
- Below 18.5: check iron, B12 and thyroid with a doctor, and add calories and protein.
- 18.5 to 22.9: keep it there with regular activity and balanced meals.
- 23 to 24.9: a good time to act. A loss of 3 to 5 kg often brings you back into the healthy band.
- 25 and above: ask for blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid tests, and plan to lose a twentieth to a tenth of your weight, slowly.
Set calories with the deficit calculator and track your waist monthly.
Newer thinking on obesity in India
Indian experts have recently proposed going beyond BMI alone: looking at waist size, fat around the abdomen and health problems such as diabetes, joint pain or sleep apnoea to decide how serious extra weight is. In practice, that means two people with the same BMI may get different advice. BMI is the starting point, not the verdict.
BMI for Indian children
Children are read on Indian Academy of Pediatrics BMI charts, which include lines that match the adult 23 and 27 values at age 18. See the children's BMI page.
Family history of diabetes or early heart disease? Ask your doctor about screening from your thirties, whatever your BMI.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMI in India?
18.5 to 22.9 for adults, according to Indian guidelines. WHO uses 18.5 to 24.9.
Is BMI different for Indians?
Same formula; lower cut-offs, because Indians face higher health risks at a given BMI.
What is the Asian BMI calculator?
A BMI calculator that uses the Asian cut-offs of 23 for overweight and 25 or 27.5 for obesity instead of the WHO 25 and 30.
Is a BMI of 24 overweight for an Indian?
Yes. Indian bands put 23 to 24.9 in the overweight group; the WHO list does not.
What waist size is healthy for Indians?
Under 90 cm for men and under 80 cm for women, measured around the belly button.
Is the Indian BMI the same for women and men?
Yes, the BMI bands are shared. Only the waist limits differ.
Sources
- Indian consensus guidelines on obesity for Asian Indians
- WHO expert consultation on BMI in Asian populations