The BMI Formula

What Is The BMI Formula?

BMI Formula Developer - Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet.

Adolphe Quetelet
1796 -1874

The Body Mass Index(BMI) formula was developed by Belgium statistician Adolphe Quetelet (1796-1874), and was known as the Quetelet Index. BMI is also referred to as 'body mass indicator'. BMI is an internationally used measure of obesity.

How to calculate BMI - for users who wish to manually calculate BMI we have provided a bmi formula for both imperial & metric measurements (we also offer an online BMI Calculator).

Body mass index calculation is very straightforward. Calculating body mass index requires only two measurements: height & weight.

Imperial BMI Formula

The imperial bmi formula accepts weight measurements in pounds & height measurements in either inches or feet.
1 foot = 12 inches
inches² = inches * inches

Table: Imperial BMI Formula
BMI =
( lbs/inches² ) 		(weight in pounds * 703 )
————————————
height in inches²

Metric BMI Formula

The metric bmi formula accepts weight measurements in kilograms & height measurements in either cm's or meters.
1 meter = 100cms
meters² = meters * meters

Table: Metric BMI Formula
BMI =
( kg/m² )		 weight in kilograms
————————————
height in meters²

Calculate BMI & Find Weight Status

Table: BMI Weight Status Categories
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 -24.9 Normal
25 - 29.9 Overweight
30 & Above Obese

If you have calculated BMI use the table above to find your weight status. Different nations & organizations use different BMI ranges to classify weight status.

Our table is in keeping with the internationally recognized, US Department of Health & Human Services weight status categories.

Please note: this site features an online BMI Calculator, BMI Charts and a free body mass index calculator for Windows to help users calculate bmi.

Created By: +Simon Hartley.